In 1998, he included several of his creations based on Igor Stravinskij’s music (Les noces, Concerto in re, L'uno é l'altra, Pulcinella) within a single project entitled "Progetto Stravinskij - l'anelito all'unione”, with the aim to delve into the artistic world of Stravinskij in a parallel journey of dance and music;

 

In ‘Corpi incompiuti’ (2002 - 2007), the choreographer used the world of sensory perception to analyse broader issues such silence and omertà (code of silence), the negation of beauty, economic waste, the misunderstandings concerning what we see. Sight, taste, hearing and the negation of senses in disabled bodies became each the focal point of six individual productions (Ob/sol.um, Ascoltando i pesci, Rifarsi gli occhi, Ragout, Romeo e Giulietta/sfocatura dei corpi, 24 préludes);

 

In ‘Instruments’, Zappalà focuses on the use of unusual musical instruments such as the ‘marranzano’ (Jew’s harp) (Instrument 1<scoprire l'invisibile>2007), the ‘hang’ (Instrument 2 <la sofferenza del corpo>2008) and the Sicilian traditional drums (Instrument 3: cage sculpture, 2009). The music instruments, played live on stage, become integral to the dance.

 

‘re-mapping- sicily’ is an ongoing project in which the choreographer aims to re-map Sicily. The project intends to redefine what makes a Sicilian, by tackling issues such as the relationship with the sacred and the profane, the condition of emigration/immigration, the concept of solidarity, by comparing them to the many contradictions within the current modern society. The project started in 2007 with Instrument 1, in which the sound of the ‘marranzano’ was decontextualised and revamped, followed by Saint Agatha and the celebration of devotion in Instrument 2 (2008) and A.semu tutti devoti tutti? (2009). The project continues with "Odisseo", the new creation that will premiere in December 2010 at the Teatro Stabile in Catania.

 

With pre-testi the choreographer aims to analyse the idea of creation itself, by breaking down the creation in stages, called ‘pre-testi’ (pre-texts), which will then be developed and staged in collaboration with organisations external to the company. The premiere of the main creation ‘Odisseo’ will therefore be anticipated by ‘Pre-testo 1: Naufragio’ (‘Pre-text 1: the Shipwreck) and ‘Pre-testo 2: Accoglienza” (‘Pre-text 2: welcome).