FORMA MENTIS / MISS INVASION – Spellbound Contemporary Ballet

FORMA MENTIS

• Choreography, Art Direction, Lighting, Costumes: Jacopo Godani
• Performers: Maria Cossu, Giuliana Mele, Lorenzo Beneventano, Alessandro Piergentili, Anita Bonavida, Roberto Pontieri, Martina Staltari, Miriam Raffone, Filippo Arlenghi
• Original Music: Ulrich Müller
• Choreographic Assistant: Vincenzo De Rosa
• A Spellbound production in collaboration with Comune di Pesaro & AMAT for Pesaro Italian Capital of Culture 2024, Festival Torinodanza

FORMA MENTIS is a choreographic experience that brings together a new generation of extraordinary dancers to shape an artistic manifesto for the future. In this latest creation, Jacopo Godani employs the art of “intelligent dance” as both a tool for self-realization and a means of direct communication with young artists.

Recognizing the evolving interpretations of art over the past decades, Godani seeks a balance between contemporary artistic expression rooted in ethical principles and the creation of a platform that empowers young talents to translate their creativity into concrete visions and projects.

FORMA MENTIS is a dynamic space for exploring dance as a universal language of intelligence and expression. Every step, every movement, becomes an opportunity to share ideas and visions, forging a continuous dialogue between the self, the audience, and future generations. Within this creative realm, Godani acknowledges the power of talent and professional dedication, elevating each dancer and artist as a beacon of inspiration for those striving to turn their dreams into reality.

More than a performance, FORMA MENTIS is a commitment to lasting impact—using dance as a catalyst for diverse perspectives and creative exploration. Every movement on stage is a step forward in discovering and celebrating human potential.

Adriar, seems to have forgotten almost everything.”
— Mauro Astolfi

MISS INVASION

• Choreography: Mauro Astolfi
• Performers: Anita Bonavida, Miriam Raffone, Martina Staltari
• Music: Various Artists
• A Spellbound production with the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture

In today’s world, the word invasion is often framed through the lens of military metaphors, dominating public discourse and shaping collective fears. It has become a rallying cry—fueling anxieties, justifying emergency policies, and fostering a sense of perpetual threat. Long before an actual invasion occurs, it has already taken root in our minds, constructing an imagined enemy before a real one even emerges.

But what if we redefined invasion? What if, instead of fear, we associated it with transformation—the arrival of something new, an infusion of change? The world, after all, is constantly being invaded: by ideas, innovation, kindness, by solidarity.

What happens when we name a person Invasion and allow them to step into the world under this identity? MISS INVASION is an exploration of this concept—a movement-driven study of how energy shifts when the term is no longer tied to fear, but instead infused with openness and possibility. It is about reclaiming language, redirecting perception, and creating a flow of ideas that disrupts without overpowering—an invasion not of destruction, but of renewal.

Prendi le foto gentilmente dal PDF come ci indica Valentina. Ma le ho comunque già scaricate tutte sul drive

Grazie mille

Adriar, seems to have forgotten almost everything.”
— Mauro Astolfi

MAURO ASTOLFI

Astolfi’s choreographic vision brings pure gestural expressiveness to life, fusing classical technique with rigorous training. Precision and poetry are the foundation of his artistic success.

After an extended period in the United States, he founded Spellbound Contemporary Ballet in 1994, which he continues to direct alongside Valentina Marini. The company has become a beacon for young choreographers and a leader on the international dance scene. Through Astolfi’s artistic portfolio, the technical excellence of his dancers, and a global perspective, Spellbound has developed into a high-caliber production model.

With over thirty original works for Spellbound performed on four continents, Astolfi is also an active freelance choreographer. He has created for Israel Ballet, Incolballet in Colombia, Theatreschool Amsterdam, Balletto di Roma, Leipzig Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, Arts Umbrella Dance Company, and many others.

Beyond choreography, Astolfi is a sought-after guest teacher and has served as Artistic Director of the D.A.F. Dance Arts Faculty in Rome since 2009. From 2016 to 2018, he was also a guest instructor at the School of Ballet at Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.