Anyone who loves dance and is active on social media has probably seen them before: the fabulous dancers/artists of the London circus company Gandini Juggling. Not only do they master the art of juggling to perfection, their productions are also of a high artistic level. They are regularly inspired by greats from the dance world. For example, for SMASHED, the performance that brought the group world fame, they based themselves on the oeuvre of one of the most important choreographers of the twentieth century: the German Pina Bausch. A new dive into international dance heritage is planned for 2022: LIFE, a 'declaration of love' to Merce Cunningham (1919-2009), one of the icons of American modern dance. Guided by a radical approach to space, time and technology, Cunningham developed a unique style and technique that highlights the almost limitless possibilities of human movement.
A way out to another world
About the idea for this new performance and their fascination with Cunningham, Gandini Juggling founders Sean Gandini and Kati Ylä-Hokkala say: “For three decades we have been watching and being inspired by Cunningham's work. In the back of our minds there was always the tantalizing thought: what would have happened if Merce had choreographed juggling? And is it possible to create something that, while clearly rooted in the Cunningham universe, offers an escape into another world? Something new that retains the essence of the original, something that would not have existed without the source, but at the same time also has its own raison d'être?” LIFE, the two say, will be an attempt to answer these and other questions. They can count on the approval and support of the Cunningham Trust and are working with several former dancers from the legendary Merce Cunningham Dance Company in the preparation of the production.
Performances in more than fifty countries
Gandini Juggling, founded in 1992, celebrates the art of juggling in all its facets. The group not only explores what juggling is, but especially what juggling can be. The company consists of a virtuoso core group of jugglers who are expanded per production with specialists in various genres. Gandini Juggling has now performed more than five thousand times in more than fifty countries worldwide.
