You are invited to the premiere of ‘HUMAN DESIGN’, the final performance of the Institute for Artistic Dance in collaboration with Yellowbiz Art Collective on June 27, 2025, at 8:00 PM | Bitef Theater.
What if identity is not a choice, but an obligation?
The HUMAN DESIGN project presents a unique choreographic exploration that connects dance, philosophy, and social critique. The work focuses on the Human Design system – a contemporary self-discovery method that divides people into four energetic types: Manifestor, Generator, Projector, and Reflector.
In this theatrical world, this system becomes a totalitarian structure. From the moment of birth, an individual is strictly defined, with no room for choice or change. Dancers on stage use their bodies to shape a world where function is more important than freedom, and order is more important than individuality.
Movement as resistance. Dance as rebellion.
The performance evolves from strict formation to spontaneous expression, symbolizing the process of liberation from imposed roles. Costumes, set design, and sound create an atmosphere of a dystopian society where everyone has “their place.” But – for how long?
Through bodily narratives, students of the Institute for Artistic Dance explore the boundaries of identity, freedom, and belonging, mentored by international artists: Michele Pastorini and Valentin Chu (Italy); Maria Mataranz de las Heras (Portugal).
Are you who you are – or who you are told to be?
In the performance HUMAN DESIGN, audiences witness a world where an attempt to escape categorization becomes an act of revolution. A world where identities collapse, and new possibilities of existence emerge from their cracks.
A genre-hybrid and conceptually strong performance, HUMAN DESIGN is not just a final exam – but an artistic act of self-discovery and resistance.
We invite you to join us in asking the question:
And who are you – in the system that defines you?
Production: Institute for Artistic Dance and Yellowbiz Art Collective
Choreography: Michele Pastorini
Choreographer Assistants: Assistant Prof. Katarina Bućić and Ognjen Vučinić
Costume Design: Marija Mataranz
Sound: Valentin Chu
Set Design: Prof. Dr. Snežana Arnautović Stjepanović
The performance features students of the Institute for Artistic Dance: Anja Stojankić, Iva Ilijevski, Olja Omelijanenko, Kyra Photion, Ryan Koh Yik Heng, Vanja Gerzina, Tanja Ivanov, Anja Milovanov.
Admission is FREE with registration via email: institutzaumetnickuigru@gmail.com
Michele Pastorini, born in 1993 in Cannicattì, Sicily, began his ballet education at the “Massimo Vincenzo Bellini” Theater in Catania. After an engagement with the Bellini Junior Company, where he performed in classical ballets, he moved to Switzerland and joined the “Cinevox Junior Company,” simultaneously developing his first choreographic works.
Throughout his career, he has performed across Europe and collaborated with numerous renowned choreographers. In the 2013/2014 season, he became a member of the Landesbühnen Sachsen dance company in Germany, where he choreographed original works and received positive reviews.
Since 2017, he has been a permanent member of the HNK Rijeka ballet ensemble, performing in productions by leading contemporary choreographers such as Maša Kolar, Mauro Bigonzetti, Adonis Foniadakis, and many others. In 2020, he was named principal dancer, and in 2023, principal artist of HNK Rijeka.
He achieved particular success with his original solo T(w)o Whom, which he performed at the 22nd International “Choreographic Miniatures” Competition in Belgrade, winning the First Prize, as well as the Audience Award and the Critics’ Award. The following year, he was invited to be a jury member for the 23rd edition of the same competition.
As a choreographer and director, he has signed numerous projects, including the opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto, the performances Decameron and Amarcord, as well as the operas La Traviata and The Magic Flute, which was declared the best opera production of the year at HNK Rijeka. In 2024, he directed and choreographed the ballet performance Pinocchio.
Pastorini is also active in educating young artists and creating original projects across Europe, combining classical technique and contemporary expression in his artistic practice.