Read the full Fibonacci Project Presentation

The Fibonacci Project is an initiative of international collaboration driven by the belief that through artistic expression we can build bridges between cultures and promote a greater sense of solidarity. The objective of the project is the creation of a multidisciplinary show based on collaborations between artists from different art forms and cultures with the idea of celebrating human kind’s greatest power: Creativity.

The project’s name refers to the famous Fibonacci sequence discovered by Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci in the early 13^th century.

{0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…}

This sequence, which produces the Golden Ratio (also referred to as the Divine Proportion or Golden Number), is the underlying inspiration of the whole project. It is a symbol for the organic way in which life organises itself naturally to create growth, harmony and beauty out of opposing energies. The show intends to use and illustrate principles derived from the study of the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci sequence – the idea that we, as humans, are included in the universal harmony of forms, and that the union of complementary opposites may be a way to extend that harmony to psychological and social realms as well.

The Fibonacci Project is a show in constant evolution realized through a series of creation residencies in different countries around the world.

Set over a period of three weeks culminating with public performances, each creation residency aims toward the creation of a new and unique show based on a recurring template of eight tableaux, one for each of the first eight numbers of the Fibonacci sequence. Each of these tableaux represent an open space, a white canvas for the participating artists to create their art. Some elements are permanent to the show while others are created in collaboration with local artists in each of the hosting countries. In this way, from one residency to the next, one country to another, the show is never the same and always it is the result of the encounter between the touring artists and their local hosts.

This creation process, based on the encounter between different art forms (circus, theater, dance, music, video and visual art) and above all on the intercultural dialogue, represents in itself the objective of the project and the spirit of the show.

The current phase of the Fibonacci Project plans the realization of a dozen creation residencies in different countries (2009-2014). Following this “work in progress” phase, an ultimate creation residency will take place to integrate artists chosen from each of the previous residencies into a fully bloomed show to be entitled “The Fibonacci Suite”. This show will then be presented in a world tour marking the conclusion of the Fibonacci Project. Beyond the presentation of a show, the Fibonacci Project also finds its accomplishment by developing a television series about the creation of the whole project.

More than a show, the Fibonacci Project aims to create an event that will be a complete and surprising experience for the audience, from beginning to end, by changing the usual relation they have with the performing space, the performers and the performance.

Throughout the show, the first eight numbers of the Fibonacci sequence operate as a metaphor for the evolution of the human consciousness and allow us to question our individual and collective journey. Each of the 8 tableaux in the show is inspired by the symbols associated with its corresponding number:

{ 0,  1,  1,  2,  3,  5,  8,  13,  21… }

{ 0 } Emptyness, uncounsciousness, the origin that contains the whole.

{ 1 } The individual, the primary degree of counsciousness, self-identity, starting point to any evolution.

{ 1 } The number one, repeated in the sequence, symbolizes the multitude of individuals, the multiplicity of starting points, of ideas and points of view.

{ 2 } Duality, encounter, dialogue, consciousness of the Other… two individuals together, the first degree of human relations.

{ 3 } The organisation, the family, the community… the first « group » dynamics, the individual consciousness reaches a collective level.

{ 5 } The World, the sum of the four cardinal points plus the center, the five continents, the five senses –  the totality of the manifested world… The individual consciousness rises to a global level, the human relations take a cultural dimension.

{ 8 } The Universe, the mathematical sign (horizontal) for the Infinite… With the number eight the individual becomes aware of the infinite nature of the universe.

{ 13 } Time, the inevitable ending to any cycle… with thirteen the individual being is confronted to the consciousness of his own mortal life.

{ 21 } Maturity and Wisdom… the joining of unity and diversities within the individual who realizes the relatedness of all things, the ultimate level of the human consciousness.

Chronology and long-term development

The Fibonacci Project is an initiative of Les 7 Doigts de la Main and is guided by Samuel Tétreault, co-founder and co-artistic director of the Montreal based circus collective. The development of the Fibonacci Project is based on a long term vision with three distinct phases.

Phase I (2007-2009)

This first phase was dedicated to the realization of four pilot residencies. Their success not only proved the feasibility of the Fibonacci Project but also confirmed the social and artistic pertinence of its concept. This phase has also allowed to refine the concepts of the project and prepare, for futur coproducers and presenters, a residency hosting guide detailing all creation parameters for the next phase.

• 1^st Residency : Mexico City, February 2007
• 2^nd Residency : Igloolik (Nunavut) Canada, June 2008 (1^st part of a trilogy with Inuit, Mexican and Canadian culture)
• 3^rd Residency : Montreal (QC) Canada, July 2008 (2^nd part of the trilogy)
• 4^th Residency : Veracruz, Mexico, March 2009 (3^rd part of the trilogy)

Phase II (2009-2014)

The second phase plans the development of creation residencies in ten other countries with the objective to realize collaborations between a total of thirteen different cultures (including canadian, mexican and inuit).

• 5^th Residency : Copenhagen, Danemark, Nov-Dec 2009
• 6^th Residency : Barcelona, Spain, Nov 2010
• 7^th Residency : Copenhagen, Danemark, April-May-June 2010

New partnerships around the world are currently being researched and developed for the completion of the second phase. Among the targeted countries we find: the United Kingdom, China, Russia, France, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Japan and asian countries, Lebanon and middle-eastern countries, Mali and african countries…

Phase III (2014-2015)

Following the “work in progress” cycle of the previous phases, an ultimate creation residency will take place in Montreal to integrate artists chosen from each of the previous residencies into a fully bloomed show to be entitled “The Fibonacci Suite”. This large scale production will trace back the whole journey of the Fibonacci Project in a live celebration of the human creativity and diversity. The partnerships developed along the way will serve as a launching ramp for a world tour of this show marking the conclusion of the Fibonacci Project.