Manolis Saridakis

Manolis Saridakis lives in Athens, is 35 years old, and works in dance, theatre, and music. He received his training as a contemporary dancer and choreographer as part of Onassis Stegi’s iDance, Europe Beyond Access, and Unlimited Access programs, held both in Greece and beyond, alongside contemporary and African dance workshops given by the Liminal arts organization. Manolis has appeared in Onassis Stegi productions (“Sweet Abyss”, “Deep Fusion Butterfly Band”, and more) and in a large number of theatrical performances staged by ARTOGETHER (Art of People With and Without Disabilities). He starred in the documentary film “I Am a Dancer” directed by Stavros Petropoulos, and produced by Onassis Stegi. He is studying découpage at the Theotokos Foundation, music at the National Conservatory of Athens, and qigong at the “Spring of the Young Forest” School for Martial Arts.

Do Robots have Emotions?

Description: By means of his disarmingly incisive concept, Manolis Saridakis weaves critical issues concerning control, as well as artificial and emotional intelligence, into his own endeavours with regard to autonomy and freedom of expression. The choreographer appears on stage, programming each “robot” to perform – both individually and all together.

Extra information: The dance piece “Do Robots have emotions?” by Manolis Saridakis was created as part of the Europe Beyond Access programme and within the framework of Onassis Stegi’s ongoing commitment to issues of accessibility when it comes to dance. The fact that disabled people still do not have access to professional dance training in Greece renders the support this programme provides artists particularly important.

As part of this season’s program, Onassis Stegi commissioned three emerging disabled choreographers to create three short-form works. The results were presented as works-in-progress in December 2021, and support will be provided for the further development of all three. The piece by Manolis Saridakis was selected for this year’s Onassis New Choreographers Festival – ONC9. The professional development of artists with learning disabilities has been supported in various ways by Europe Beyond Access to date in other European countries, but this is the first time such a commission and presentation are being undertaken in Greece.

By means of his disarmingly incisive concept, Manolis Saridakis touches upon the exceptionally timely topic of robots, weaving critical issues concerning control, as well as both artificial and emotional intelligence, into his own endeavours with regard to autonomy and freedom of expression. The choreographer himself appears on stage, programming each “robot” to perform – both individually and all together – a dance of their own. He then transports them into a virtual bar/club setting where he gives a new command: “feelings on demand”! On the dance floor, Screwdriver cocktails in hand, each robot will tackle the emotion it has been assigned, upending their interrelationships in the process, and leading us into the climactic scene of this sci-fi adventure by the choreographer Manolis Saridakis.

"The performance you’re going to see has to do with robots. I chose this topic because I feel like a robot sometimes too. I conducted an interview and did research to learn about robots: about how they move and how they help people. I had a few questions: Do robots have a mechanical heart? Is a robot brain the same as a human brain? Are robots ever bored when they do chores? Are robots doing whatever they want or whatever humans want?"

–Manolis Saridakis

Credits

Concept: Manolis Saridakis
Choreography: Manolis Saridakis, in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Olympia Antonena, Eirini Kourouvani, Christos Christakopoulos, Manolis Saridakis
Dramaturgy – Mentoring: Medie Megas
Costumes: Marilena Kalaitzantonaki
Lighting Design: Konstantinos Bethanis
Make-up: Alexandra Rentzou
Original Music: Christos Christakopoulos
Additional Music: ‘Techno Eskalation!!!’ by Max Minimal also features in the performance
Executive Producer: Christos Papamichael, Liminal
Production Manager, Co-ordinator of artistic activities for Europe Beyond Access: Christina Liata, Onassis Stegi
European Programmes Co-ordinator: Dora Vougiouka, Onassis Stegi
Special thanks to: Niki Saridaki, Fotini Gioti, Giannis Makris, Manolis Andriotakis, Rodia Vomvolou

People on road: 10