First and foremost, I must admit that I am relatively new to the world of performance art. However, “Flex” by Üüve-Lydia Toompere was the perfect introduction, setting the stage for many more experiences to follow. It was a pleasant mixture of thinking: what exactly is going on and I love this so much!
Premiering on December 5, 2024, at Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava in Tallinn, the performance features Toompere becoming an alter ego Flex, who embodies a quest for physical and existential refinement. Currently based in Berlin, Üüve-Lydia Toompere, also known as Fluxxious or Flex, is a versatile freelance choreographer, performance artist, and director. Her work often explores themes of identity, transformation, and the interaction between human bodies and broader societal or cultural structures.
Her performances are characterized by a thought-provoking blend of physicality, conceptual depth, and an exploration of the limits of performance art. Through her innovative and dynamic projects, Toompere continues to leave a distinctive mark on the contemporary art and choreography scene.
Reflecting on the performance I had the pleasure of experiencing — the pursuit and exploration of limits is deeply evident. Two seemingly unrelated fields — bodybuilding and art — find an unexpected connection. But are they really so different? Elements like spray painting, posing, celebrating beauty, and relentless hard work create a fascinating bridge between the two. Enter Flex, the striking alter ego, born at the crossroads of these fields. In her unique performance at Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava, she rises to embody this union, offering a captivating glimpse into a world where glamour meets pain, and strength merges with vulnerability.
There were moments when, as a viewer, I felt uncomfortable. This raises the question why I felt that way and what the intention behind it might have been. At one point during the performance, she finds herself, quite literally, caught between a rock and a hard place — a powerful and striking visual metaphor for the themes of struggle. Bodybuilding as a sport embodies a unique blend of beauty and pain. The poses, designed to appear effortless and graceful, require immense strength and discipline, often causing significant discomfort to hold.
This prompts the question: “Why is she doing this to herself?” and “What is the underlying motivation behind such relentless self-discipline?” It invites both curiosity and empathy, urging viewers to explore the broader implications of her actions. Could this be how the pursuit of bodybuilding appears to an outsider? A discipline marked by its obsession with control, relentless effort, and transformation — yet often misunderstood as an act of self-inflicted struggle. It reflects the tension between admiration for such dedication and the puzzlement over why anyone would willingly endure such physical and mental challenges.
This solo performance delves into the relentless pursuit of perfection — a process that must be meticulously constructed, piece by piece, or as the performance metaphorically suggests, “rock by rock.” In Flex, Üüve-Lydia Toompere crafts a unique and thought-provoking parallel between the setting of a gym and a laboratory. Both spaces symbolize transformation and experimentation, whether in the physical or existential sense. This unexpected juxtaposition invites the audience to reflect on the societal pressures to constantly refine and reimagine ourselves.
Her pursuit to perfection is at times comical but somehow also tragic. A wave of relief came over me as a viewer, when something frustrating didn’t work and Flex let out a brief laugh. This added a sense of warmth and relatability to the performer, softening the mechanical or distant impression she initially gave. If You are a fan of verbal art, then You won’t find much of it in this performance. The only word uttered is a breathless, exhausted “Ten” as she counts her reps. But to my surprise, words weren’t needed here — a testament to the strength and precision of the choreography, which conveyed everything that needed to be said.
It was clear that great emphasis was placed on the production. People often forget that the experience of a cultural event does not begin when the lights dim and the performer steps on stage, but much earlier. The attention to detail in this production was both impeccable and delightfully creative. The music was thoughtfully composed, seamlessly complementing and enhancing every emotion I experienced throughout the performance. The small bar offering protein shots for just 1 € before the show, was an absolute stroke of genius and might I say delicious!
Author: Kelli
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