Tali Zavilevich
Passive Aggressive
2017–2020
A raw and intimate dance performance for six performers exploring power, vulnerability, and the delicate balance within relationships.
Through subtle gestures and shifting muscle tone, the physical states mirror emotional landscapes — from control to surrender, from tenderness to wild defense.
Themes include intimacy, war, care, sexuality, and the tension between individuality and herd behavior.
Radio interview (Yuval Meskin)
By: Gluya Ensemble – Tali Zavilevich & Dana Hirsch Laiser
Performers: Noa Dar, Dafna Hemmendinger, Alex Cosco, Yuval Goldstein, Tali Zavilevich, Dana Hirsch Laiser
Live Music: Tal Avni
Costumes: Maya Karniel
photography: Eli Kats
Supported by: Mifal HaPais (2019) and Creators’ Fund (2019)
Viewers' comments:
Dana Schatz, Director
“When they caught Dana, I started to cry. It took me completely by surprise! Three dancers — no less — sat on her and didn’t let her move, right in the middle of her sexiest, coolest dance! Why??? Tali Zavilevich and Dana Hirsch Leiser created a dance piece for six dancers called ‘Passive Aggressive’ about relationships… and I, someone so ignorant of dance, found myself overwhelmed with emotion… suddenly realizing how much aggression there is in relationships… like in that beautiful duet that starts with two butterflies fluttering… and then slowly, the man begins to pester the woman with his flitting hands… to invade too much! Ugh! Or like that horrific dance (sorry) where a lovestruck girl sings a syrupy love song at the top of her voice, but she can’t get up off the floor, her limbs won’t obey, she’s like paralyzed, and the big man above her keeps trying to stabilize her, and she’s like a puppet, each time a different limb collapses again to the ground… I called that dance ‘The Paralyzed Lover.’ Six stunning dancers, from such diverse dance backgrounds, united to tell you something about the need for warmth and intimacy that can in a split second turn into aggression and fear. You should look that straight in the eye. It’s beautiful, powerful, and thought-provoking!”
Dr. Ronit Neshar, Applied Psychology
“Passive – Aggressive. Last night I went to a dance performance by that name. I sat there for an hour, spellbound. By the dancers, by the way the themes were brought to the stage so uniquely, and by what it stirred up inside me (surprising associations that arose as I watched). And afterward we stayed for a half-spontaneous jam with the wonderful music by Tal Avni. It was fascinating to see how my own dance changed a bit after the performance, and what became possible in duets and trios because of it. Because in dance, as in life, these themes of control, passivity, activity, aggression — are present every day. In short — highly recommended. The piece was created by Tali Zavilevich and Dana Hirsch Leiser, who perform in it along with Noa Dar, Dafna Hemdinger, Yuval Goldstein, and Alex Kosko, with music by Tal Avni. By the way, this performance is very suitable for conferences of psychologists, group facilitators, therapists.”
Adina Bar-On, Performance Artist
“A creation brimming with integrity! — I enjoyed it immensely! — Highly recommended!”
Michal Goldberg, Actress and Musician
“My name is Michal Goldberg Eyal. I am a teacher, creator, and performer in theater and movement since 1982, a graduate of Seminar Hakibbutzim as a teacher, actress, and musician. I watched the piece ‘Passive / Aggressive’ with wonder, pleasure, and great appreciation. My body spoke… throughout every moment of the performance, I was filled with excitement, tension, enjoyment charged and discharged in turns, and all my attention was completely there, with them, with the creators and performers, on stage. And for me, that’s a measure of the quality of a performance. When it ended, I could understand more, put it into words (whereas during the show I wasn’t at all open to critique or analysis, I was completely in the experience). I realized I had seen a complete, human, living work, full of thought and spontaneity. I saw changing human relations, internal processes each character undergoes, changing ties between man and woman, power dynamics — full lives! I really loved the balance between some planned play, some intentional composition, and spaces of improvisation. I loved the feeling that I didn’t know what was planned and what was improvised. I believed the performance and the full presence of the performers. In my eyes, they are actors with high abilities and believable delivery, with great attentiveness to themselves and their partners, and so much freedom and charm. As someone involved in music, I’m very sensitive to the quality of music and its connection with theater or dance on stage. I very much enjoyed — was moved — by the live music that accompanied the show. Tal Avni was extremely attentive, driving and being driven in turn by what was happening on stage. Truly, magic happened there! I warmly recommend supporting this important creation in every way possible!”
Vered Mazuz, Drama Therapist, Supervisor, Specialist, MATI Petah Tikva
“I watched the performance Passive / Aggressive. It’s intimate, presented in an authentic and original way. The show integrates text and music, which broadens and deepens the experience of movement on stage. The close seating creates a sense of intimacy, allowing you to experience the performance almost at arm’s length. The piece deals with relationships that are reflected in all layers of life, allowing moments of identification as I, the viewer, found my own interfaces. Throughout the show it seemed the dancers gave everything! The work is very physical, authentic, happening ‘here and now.’ The diversity of the dancers breaks stereotypes about ability and imagination. The discussion after the show with the creators and dancers was wonderful, letting us gather, delve deeper, and translate the experience into words — to peek into the creative process and understand how an idea becomes real, and how each person can bring themselves to identify with what appears on stage. Bravo for an original and compelling creation!”