Horse Me
Sofia Mavragani & Janis Rafa

Neighing, galloping, falls, sadistic bonds, torture, worship. The horse serves as a symbol of social status, beauty, and freedom, as well as a model of taming and ‘assimilation’ by humans. “Horse Me” is the result of a creative partnership between choreographer Sofia Mavragani and visual artist Janis Rafa. The sarcastic, political world of the choreographer merges with the multidimensional and animalistic universe of the visual artist.

Whips and snaffle bits intertwine in a bizarre sensual arrangement. Buttocks and tails vibrate over arias and electropoptunes. Paradox texts speak of the jockey’s triumph, while a list names the causes of death of twenty-three racehorses. Deft movements respond to violent commands implying the animal’s disobedience. “Horse Me” explores human fantasies, desires, and cravings to tame and dominate other bodies. The work, by subverting genderCstereotypes, hierarchies, and preconceived notions, raises concerns about the joys and pains that animals and humanbeings can share. By paying tribute to the creatures who have offered their lives in the service of humans, the performance finally appeals to the body’s right to remain unexplored,undefined, and untamed

Sofia Mavragani is a choreographer and director whose work explores the intersection of body, voice, and socio-politicalcontexts. She is known for blending dance with music, theater, and visual arts, and her creations have been showcased at international festivals and unconventional venues, including FIBA2023 (Buenos Aires), National Theatre of Greece, Athens Epidaurus Festival, documenta14, Kalamata International Dance Festival, Arc for Dance, MIRfestival, and even unique spaces like traditional cafés, nail studios, and strip clubs. Mavragani is a founding member of the international art network Fingersix and its Athens-based dance company.

Janis Rafa (née Rafailidou) is based between Amsterdam and Athens. She is a visual artist and filmmaker whose work brings together various media, from feature films to video installations and sculptures. Her work examines the relationship between humans and animals, focusing on seemingly contradictory schemes such as love and dominance, seduction and consent, but also mortality and loss. Rafa holds a PhD in Fine Art (2012) and has received art residencies from the Rijksakademie (2014), Artworks/Stavros Niarchos (2020), and Onassis AiR (2024). Her work was part of the 59th Biennale di Venezia (2022). In April 2025, she will present her solo at the EMΣΤ Athens. Recent solo shows include VOX Centre de l’image contemporaine, Montreal (2025), Eye Filmmuseum and Utrecht (2019).

CONCEPT & CO-CREATION
SOFIA MAVRAGANI, JANIS RAFA

CHOREOGRAPHY
SOFIA MAVRAGANI

ART DIRECTION
JANIS RAFA

ORIGINAL MUSIC
THALIA IOANNIDOU

PERFORMANCE & MOVEMENT
MATERIAL CREATION
MARIA VOUROU, KONSTANTINA
BARKOULI, PAGONA BOULBASAKOU
SOPRANO LITO MESSINI

ASSISTANT TO THE CREATORS
YORGOS KYVERNITIS

DRAMATURGY
IOANNA VALSAMIDOU

COSTUMES
CHRYSANTHOS CHRISTODOULOU

STAGE DESIGN
JANIS RAFA, FILANTHI BOUGATSOU

LIGHTING DESIGN
THODORIS MICHOPOULOS

SPECIAL OBJECT CONSTRUCTION
MANOS VORDONARAKIS

COSTUME MAKING
EIRINI ANDROULIDAKI, ODYSSEAS SAMPALIS

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
GIORGOS KALANTZIS

LINE PRODUCTION
FINGERSIX/ATHENS

WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE

SUPPORTED BY THE ONASSIS STEGI TOURING

PROGRAM

“Horse Me” by Sofia Mavragani & Janis Rafa was first presented in Athens as part of the Onassis Dance Days 2025