danse danza tanz!
Platform for a living repertory
After 3 editions in 4 theaters and regions of Switzerland, 23 works created from 1913 to 2010 reinterpreted, almost 5000 people – artists, stage professionals, almost 200 dancers, the theater‘, the edition‘ teams and all the audiences touched by its action for five years, we restarted with a lighter and more intensive version!
We have created and made available comprehensive documentation of the 23 works whose reinterpretations we produced between 2018 and 2023. For each work, there is a dedicated web page with links to the artists‘ and groups‘ websites where they exist. All videos of the reinterpretations are available for free consultation. Each web page can be exported in PDF format for free download. Each work is presented with the same structure: original work, artist, reinterpretation, group, links and, if available, information on the production and distribution of the work. >>>Documentation
As a reminder, we imported this idea from France, where danse en amateur et répertoire, a support program sponsored by the Centre national de la danse de Pantin, has existed since 2009. patrimoine, danse! is the Swiss version, with the same principle: ensure that non (semi) professional dance groups of at least 5 members work with professional choreographers on their past works, and produce reinterpretations in the form of short pieces of 15/20′, which are presented together to the public during an edition. Based on the immense, and still largely unknown to the public, diversity of the landscape and history of dance, generically referred to as „contemporary“ for just over 100 years, the edition opened up this space of possibilities and demonstrated its creative potential by building bridges across borders.
What fascinate us in our work are the multiple formations and articulations between past, present, future, professional, non (semi) professional, generations and origins that have emerged. A diversity that reflects Switzerland, Europe and the World we inhabit together. We plan for this idea to continue to create these engagements, connections and opportunities in the Swiss dance landscape and even beyond the borders.
the artists‘ and companies‘ repertory works – as such, their video recordings and photographic images – are the exclusive and full property of their official legatees: all this magnificent and often rare material has been made available to us exclusively within the framework of calls for projects, so that motivated groups of dancers can discover these original works and imagine reinterpretation projects. This material is preserved and can be reactivated if the artists so wish.
PRINCIPLES OF THE PLATFORM
At the origin of each reinterpretation project is an original professional work created by a professional artist or company producing principally in Switzerland, whose premiere took place at least 10 years before the date of public presentation at the edition. The reinterpretation work is carried out by the dance group and its director under the artistic responsibility of the artist – named coach because of the two skills required, creativity and pedagogy, who is either the author or a recognized legatee of the original work.
Artistic, dramatic and pedagogical choices are made in harmony with the group’s composition and direction, according to free parameters. Each project is a new constellation and a new adventure! An important condition of participation is to stay as close as possible to the original work. As most of the original works were long plays, the transition to the short play format (maximum 15/20′) is often a key point in the dramaturgical decisions and choices.
The association paid the coaches for a maximum of 60 hours‘ work at 100 fr an hour, and financed the edition in june as a professional event: preparation, technic, communication, edition management. It welcomed all the groups, depending on their distance from the edition site, and organized collective meals and evening parties after the premieres. For the participants, it is an intensive immersion in the world of professional dance, with run-through, rehearsal and two public performances.
The highlight of the edition and the project is the group exchange. This took place over a sunday morning, and enabled each group to present its work to the other groups. It is a unique, rare and exceptional moment. 50-70 people of different origins, ages and training, together on a stage, listening to each other and exchanging, with dance movements to! A concentrate of what only dance can bring.
To give the edition greater regional visibility, choreography workshops will be offered during the season of the edition. They are free of charge, participatory, inclusive and open to everyone aged 8 and over, with no prior experience required. It is a rare opportunity for encounter and direct exchange between the artists and the general public. Participants will have the chance to experience and experiment with choreographic practice individually and as a group.
Funding is secured by public and private regional and national institutions. The search for financial support, in two or three languages depending on the edition, is a complex task that requires a deep understanding of the diversity of cultural funding structures in each target city or region. We are extremely grateful for the many generous forms of support! >>> SUPPORTS