DEJA DONNE has realized a large movement research project, which has taken place in Munich/Germany in 2010 and in Ljubljana/Slovenia in 2011. Rediscovering Concepts has been developed under the artistic direction of Simone Sandroni and Lenka Flory, in collaboration with Dr. Katja Schneider (University of Munich), Dr. Piergiorgio Giacché (University of Perugia), and in co-production with the En-Knap Ljubljana, Theater im Pfalzbau Ludwigshafen, Foundation Nationales Performance Netz, International Biennale DANCE festival in Munich, Muffathalle Munich, Teatro Stabile dell’Umbria Perugia, Duncan Centre Conservatory in Prague and EMANAT Institute in Ljubljana. The project includes a group of seven dancers from Italy, Slovenia, Great Britain, Columbia and Hungary and led towards practical and theoretical outcomes.
Photo: Judith Hummel and Barbara Schröer
The first part of the practical research has been directed by Simone Sandroni and took place in Munich/Germany from August 15th till October 25th 2010.
The movement research, divided in two chapters SPACE and GRAVITY, has been followed by group of nine dancers from different countries and with very different backgrounds - including experienced stage professionals, stagers and dance academy students.
At the end of the second chapter series of presentations has taken place in Germany, Czech Republic and Italy introducing the achieved results. The presentation included a performance (in a a form of a work in progress), projection of a video document, a lecture directed by Dr. Katja Schneider, and a discussion.
The second part of the practical research, directed again by Simone Sandroni, in a close collaboration of two companies – DEJA DONNE and EnKnapGroup took place in Ljubljana/Slovenia and Solomeo/Italy from March 14th till June 13th 2011.
In focus were another two chapters PARTNERING and TIME, followed by a mixed group of seven dancers from DEJA DONNE and EnKnapGroup. The achieved results of all four chapters have been directed towards the creation of a performance. Last part of the 2011 period has been dedicated to the theatre residency in Solomeo (PG)/Italy
The avant premiere with the title NOT MADE FOR FLYING has been presented on June 12th 2011.
The first part of the process in 2010 has been followed and coached by Dr. Katja Schneider (Theatre Science Department of the University of Munich) with an assistance of Judith Hummel.
The second part of the research in Ljubjlana and Italy has been directed by Dr. Piergiorgio Giacchè (Theatre Anthropology Department of the University of Perugia) with an assistance of Dr. Patrizia Becchetti.
The theoretical work has been based on the practical experience by following the movement research in the studio, discussing with the director and the dancers, work out concepts concerning the main categories SPACE, GRAVITY, PARTNERING and TIME, and its systematization. At the end of the researching process a publication covers all achieved information, bringing together reports on specific work of DEJA DONNE from different reporters (Dr. Katja Schneider, Dr. Piergiorgio Giacché, Donald Hutera, Jana Navratova, Jess Smith).
An integrated DVD will document the practical research.
The image report and video documentation has been directed, edited and photographed by a German director Barbara Schröer. The purpose her work has been to create objective, still personal and touching overview of the complete research process; its difficulties and its successes. Through interviews, introduction of locations and documentation of the rehearsals and presentations she creates a concrete dialogue between work and live; science and sweat, dance studio and a world around.
The book "Dance in Action" was inspired by the research developed over the course of 2010 and 2011, including Italy, Germany and Slovenia. A research sprang from the need and the urgency of the company Déjà Donné to reflect on the fundamental principles that characterize it for 15 years, thus defining the aims and poetics.
The phases of theoretical and practical study focused on four macro-areas of contemporary dance: Gravity, Contact, Space and Time. To the practical path, led by choreographer Simone Sandroni in the dance studio together with the dancers, was accompanied by the theoretical research led by Professor Katja Schneider, for the University of Monaco, and Professor Piergiorgio Giacché, for the University of Perugia, assisted by their assistants.
"Dance in Action" is a collection of images of company's productions and contributions written by "witnesses" who have followed and studied the work of the company over time and that are meant to be informal, humorous but at the same time, historical and scientific. The articles that make up the book are by Piergiorgio Giacchè, anthropologist, writer and essayist, professor at the University of Perugia, Patrizia Becchetti, PhD in anthropology and ethnology and assistant to Piergiorgio Giacchè, Donald Hutera, dance critic for the "The Times", "Time Out", "Dance Europe" and "Dance Now", Pietro Micci, actor and performer, Jana Navratova, dance critic and editor of "Dance Zone Magazine", Simone Sandroni co-artistic director and choreographer of Déjà Donné, Katja Schneider, dance critic, Professor of Theatre History at the University of Monaco, Jess K Smith, American director and playwright.
The presentation of the book, in the form of conference show, was hold Friday, November 9 at 21.30 at the Teatro Pavone, as a part of the Umbria Libri 2012 Festival.
Information on sale: www.editoriaespettacolo.it
