Susanne Bentley

L’éloquence des corps
Par Suzane VANINA
Publié le 24 juin 2011

“Ce qui fut le “Festival de danse contemporaine Balsa-Marni” pendant une dizaine d’années prend désormais le nom de “D.Festival”, D comme Danse, toujours, et se déroule uniquement au Marni. Un seul lieu mais de multiples facettes de l’art chorégraphique actuel, y compris dans ce qu’il a de plus évanescent : la performance.

L’enjeu des performances peut se risquer seul, à deux, ou à plusieurs, et user de différentes manières pour toucher de loin ou de très près un public.

Pour “Cielo in Terra”, deux hommes, deux frères, Giovanni et Carmelo Scarcella (Cie Giolisu), pendant une trentaine de minutes, alors qu’avec “SoloConversations”, ils ne sont pas moins de sept artistes internationaux, basés à Bruxelles : 4 danseuses, 3 danseurs, et 2 musiciens (un flutiste, un percussionniste) pour, en un quart d’heure, bouleverser toutes les idées reçues et préconçues. L’imagination ne peut s’empêcher de s’emparer de ces improvisations, d’y voir les promesses d’un spectacle plus long et plus abouti…”

Article complet/whole article

Here’s some footage of a movement quality we were exploring with Boris Cossio for 5 days this summer at Chien Perdu. Duo with Agostina D’Alessandro.

“The most important thing in art is the frame. For painting: literally; for other arts: figuratively – because, without this humble appliance, you can’t know where The Art stops and The Real World begins. You have to put a “box” around it because otherwise, what is that shit on the wall?” – Frank Zappa

Hmmm… not sure I agree entirely with Frank. I think the opposite is often true especially for performing arts. The question of whether the shit on the wall is art or just a bird who shat on the wing, or whether someone who moves in a slightly out of the ordinary way in the metro is a dancer performing or not is super interesting. Do you need to know? Isn’t it more intriguing if you are not sure? Or is it too scary for most people? We label and ‘box’ things in order to feel safe. What’s The Real World anyway? Isn’t it nature’s masterpiece?

On the other hand, reframing something can change the content entirely, and blow you out of the water, so the right frame can make all the difference. The above quote is framed by quotation marks and is in italics to differentiate it from the rest of the text, making it clear that Frank said this. Is it important that we know whether this is a quote or not, or whether he said it or someone else? Argh…I’m torn…and yes, it’s me in the photo – Am I performing?

After a successful series of bals in Brussels’ parks this summer and at National Theatre’s Watch This Space Festival on London’s Southbank, Bal Moderne has already started its Regio Bal series in Eupen, Aachen, Liége, Maastricht & Hasselt. I’ll be part of the crew for these as well. Teaser here for Maria Clara Villa Lobos’ new dance “Alors on danse”, music by Stromae. It’s catchy, please join us!

I’m slowly getting geared up for the coming trimester with a new email address, revised texts and loads more…

Have a look around the site and see if you can spot the changes!

“Dance,” said the Sheep Man, “Yougottadance. Aslongasthemusicplays. Yougottadance. Don’teventhinkwhy. Starttothink, yourfeetstop. Yourfeetstop, wegetstuck. Wegetstuck, you’restuck. Sodon’tpayanymind, nomatterhowdumb. Yougottakeepthestep. Yougottalimberup. Yougottaloosenwhatyoubolteddown. Yougottauseallyougot. Weknowyou’retired, tiredandscared. Happenstoeveryonen okay? Justdon’tletyourfeetstop.”

“Dancingiseverything,” continued the Sheep Man, “Danceintip-topform.Dancesoitallkeepsspinning. Ifyoudothat, wemightbeabletodosomethingforyou. Yougottadance. Aslongasthemusicplays.” – Haruki Murakami, Dance,Dance,Dance

Open rehearsal moment at the end of SoloConversations’ week-long residency @ Chien Perdu: Fri 12 Aug, 17:00 Rue de Fierlant 99, Forest/Vorst, Brussels. You are welcome to join!

Taylor Mali tells it like it is!

“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.”
–Arnold Toynbee

I’m with you Arnold, let’s play!

I believe!!
“The opposite of play is not work, it’s depression.”
Let’s go play!