Works in Silence offers a unique insight into the early work and artistic development of one of the most important choreographers of the twentieth century: the “grand old lady” of American modern dance Lucinda Childs. Ty Boomershine - long-term dancer with Childs' company and since 2019 artistic director of the German 40+ ensemble Dance On - was able to enlist her for this special collaborative project.
Immense influence on generations of choreographers
The six selected choreographies from Childs' extensive repertoire are fascinating both for their rarity and for their great importance to international dance and immense influence on generations of choreographers. The works were on display in museums, churches and public spaces in the 1970s, and most have been performed rarely, if at all, since then. In these choreographies, Childs eliminated props, objects, the spoken word, symbolic movement - all hallmarks of the famed era of the Judson Dance Theater - choosing instead to focus purely on the movement of the body through space. Starting from what for her is the basis of movement - walking - and moving from walking to changing direction, to hopping, to jumping. In other words, illustrating, according to her vision, in dance the evolution of movement.
Vulnerability and humanity
The works express vulnerability and humanity, performed in silence by the exceptional dancers of the Dance On Ensemble, each with their own rich history, background and knowledge, illustrating the great value of experience. Childs: “By stripping away all artificiality and theatricality, the beauty and truth of wisdom is confronted, shared, and exposed.”
Excellence of the older dancer
The Dance On Ensemble was formed in 2015 as part of a comprehensive project to celebrate the artistic excellence of the older dancer and explore the relationship between dance and age both on and off stage. The group made its Dutch debut at the 2016 Holland Dance Festival and was also featured in the 2018 festival edition. In collaboration with internationally renowned choreographers and directors - in addition to Lucinda Childs, Deborah Hay, Jan Martens and Rabih Mroué, among others - Dance On has developed a repertoire of groundbreaking and challenging contemporary dance productions in recent years. The ensemble's dancers range in age from 43 to 71 and have all had long, successful careers with such internationally prominent companies as Lucinda Childs Dance, Ballett Frankfurt, Martha Graham Dance Company, Nederlands Dans Theater, Hamburg Ballett and Cullberg Ballet.
Extremely high winds are expected, but this performance on Fri Feb 18 will still go on. Should you not be able to come to the theater due to weather conditions, there is a possibility that you can still attend this performance on Sat 19 Feb. Please let us know by mail: tickets@holland-dance.com
“Dance On biedt nieuwe blik op de nog altijd frisse avant-garde van weleer”
— Het Parool
