“Gräs (Grass) as a work and as a substance describes our origination in nature, as a resonance or foundation for human activities,” said Mats Ek about this work. Though the male and female character have an arc of life within the work, Ek does not consider Gräss a traditional story ballet. Nor is it on the other hand a philosophical’ ballet. “Different compositions or snapshots from life are a more adequate description of the piece”, Ek explains.
“However, my ballets always have an inner dramaturgy or logic for me. But they are decorative in nature or mere abstractions. Rather, my work is an expression – an evaporative humanism.”Ek’s inspiration for Gräss came after creating a solo for his brother Niklas Ek for SVT (Swedish National Television). He saw the need for a sequel. The artist Francis Bacon’s painting depicting twisting bodies in tall grass gave him the starting point for the new ballet.
Grass was originally made for SVT 1984 with Niklas Ek and Ana Laguna. Kåge Andersson was responsible for the TV version’s scenography, for light Bengt Steiner, for costume Gabriella Innerstedt and for camera Jan Hugo Norman. The stage version Gräs premiered in 1987 with the Royal Ballet and premiered with the Cullberg Ballet the following year.