
“Temp/era” by àktapha + Julyen Hamilton
The contemporary music group àktapha presents “Temp/era”, an original collaboration of music and poetry with the participation of the iconic dancer, poet and musician Julyen Hamilton who, for 45 years, has been dedicated to instant and on-the-spot composition, i.e. improvisation.
The words tempo (time) and era (era) make up the title of the show, inspired by old painting techniques. In tempera, colours are mixed with basic, everyday materials such as egg or animal glue, creating unique shades and textures. In a similar way, “temp/era” explores the synthesis of speech and music, seeking new forms and textures of emotion.
Julyen Hamilton – poetry, piano
Giannis Psarakis – percussion
Giorgos Kokkinaris – double bass
Iason Maroulis – trumpet
Orestis Tsekouras – guitar, electronics
● Julyen Hamilton is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, writer and musician. Born and raised in England, he trained in London in the 1970s, a time of radical experimentation, and has been a spokesperson for innovative practices ever since. His work is primarily based on improvisation: he composes dance works and texts on the spot, combining his long experience as a writer with his dance skills. Since the 1980s, he has worked closely with major musicians and improvisers, including Barre Phillips, Fred Frith, Tristan Honsinger and Michael Moore. He has performed over 100 solo performances, as well as numerous collaborations with dancers, musicians and theatre artists.
● The Athenian music group àktapha has managed to present an impressive number of musical productions within a year. Rejecting the idea that new music requires an educated audience, it seeks to establish honest ways of communication based on the expressive power of young creators, regardless of predetermined styles. Believing that music can help people explore themselves, the group collaborates with artists to create and foster an artistic community that enhances self-awareness and cultivates sensitivity, vulnerability and empathy.