RangdArt values exchange, diversity and aims to democratize art, by traveling the world, performing and teaching the techniques that are part of Allegra's research with a range of women from different origins, cultures and ages.
RangdArt
About
RangdArt was formally born in 2021, but its spirit started shining out in 2018, when Allegra created the solo The Balinese Daisies. The name of the company honors the Hindu Goddess Durga, a warrior who is brave enough to fight the demons away. In order to do that, Durga needs to become as diabolic as they are. That’s why in the Balinese (Indonesia) Hinduism she is portrayed as a monstrous character: Rangda. In balinese language it translates to widow, whom are often associated to witchcraft. Rangda is considered the island mother, the one who possesses all the witchcraft knowledge. The local hindu mythology Calon Arang tells the story of the witch Matah Gede, who worships Durga/Rangda. Durga agrees to give Matah Gede all her shakti (power), but with the condition that she will pass it over to future generations of women and not keep it to herself.
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Inspired by this story, the company invites different worldwide women, with their own backgrounds, stories, cultures and traditions, to create. At every new project, the director Allegra opens a workshop call to select a new cast.
RANGDART HAS NO PERMANENT ARTISTS, THE OBJECTIVE IS TO WORK WITH MULTIPLE WOMEN CREATORS ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS, PASSING ON TO THEM THE DANCE-THEATRE-TRANCE TECHNIQUES THAT ARE PART OF ALLEGRA’S RESEARCH. THE GOAL IS TO RECOVER ANCIENT KNOWLEDGES AND WISDOMS, AS THE COMPANY BELIEVES THAT THE FUTURE IS ANCESTRAL. IT IS ALSO ABOUT EXCHANGE, ABOUT LEARNING FROM THESE WOMEN’S OWN CULTURES AND TRADITIONS.
Director's Statement
In 2015 I was awarded with a scholarship (Darmasiwa) to study balinese dance at ISI Denpasar in Bali, Indonesia. This scholarship is funded by the Indonesian government, with the objective to spread Indonesian culture worldwide. At the end of my first year, the university offered me a second year to continue my studies. My interest in learning Balinese dance grew, and after I got my diploma at ISI, I decided to dedicate a time of my life to dig deep into this beautiful culture. Balinese culture is very diverse and each village has different view and tradition over the same culture.
Over the last 9 years I saw myself in tuned with Batuan village’s ideas and have been studying with different masters, such as: Ketut Wirtawan, Mangku I Wayan Bawa, Made Cat and the Tri Pusaka Sakti Arts Foundation. I also studied 5 years of Tari Perampuan with Ibu Partini in Denpasar.
Nowadays my research is towards the Calonarang dances and their transe energy. I am Brazilian and transe is also common in my culture, as for example in the Candomblé traditions. My interest is in the bridges that connect cultures and I believe art is a beautiful tool to do that.
Bali has been a big inspiration for my art and every time I create a new piece I try to honor this island that taught me so much, but as well about my own culture. I believe art is spiritual, but also social, political and sustainable. RangdArt is a combination of all those things.
Allegra
Ceccarelli
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR