Un/fold·ings

Maroš Elperyn’s master’s project, ‘Un/fold·ings’, culminates in a presentation that explores the intersection of liturgy, movement, and performance through an applied theatre approach. Designed for a Protestant church environment, the project reanimates the connection between the intellectual and physical dimensions of spirituality, addressing the marginalization of the body in traditional expressions of faith.

The presentation highlights the collaborative and interdisciplinary processes that shaped a participatory movement ritual inspired by classical liturgy. It features a performative interpretation of this ritual, adapted for courtyards, transforming sacred themes into a contemporary performative language. This creates a dialogue between sacred and theatrical spaces, inviting audiences to reflect on the evolving relationship between faith, body, and community.

The project’s development unfolded in two phases. The first intensive phase took place in Brno, Czech Republic, where a series of workshops were attended by more than 300 participants, all of whom were members of the church. Research activities during this phase gathered movement material, laying the foundation for both the participatory ritual and the subsequent showcase.

The second phase refined this material into a performative presentation. Beginning in Brno and continuing in Verscio, Switzerland, a smaller creative group was engaged to further shape the work.

‘Un/fold·ings’ bridges the gap between sacred tradition and contemporary performance, offering an embodied exploration of faith and creativity that is both thought-provoking and transformative.