THEORY OF PRACTICE – PRACTICE OF THEORY
© Annesofie Norn
Artists and scientists conduct research – but how and on what? How can they learn from each other and in what cases are delimitations necessary and sensible? The debate on “Artistic Research”, in this context predominantly meaning research in and through dance, focuses on contents, structural conditions and specific methods as well as on performative and discursive forms of presentation. Using concrete examples such as projects dealing with aging bodies, architecture, interdisciplinary and collective modes of working, or the visualisation of compositional principles, artists and scientists discuss their respective positions in a dialogue with additional invited experts. Among the participants are Deborah Hay and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, who in current publications have systematised and reflected on their own working methods.
Fri, 7 June 16:00
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16:00 - 16:45 Capitol, Club
Video
The Continuity of Discontinuity
Readings about Non-linear Learning
A member of the Judson Church movement, community head in rural Vermont and now mentor of the next generations of dance innovators and coach to renowned dance companies such as Rosas – Deborah Hay’s artistic career is filled with seeming contradictions that, however, form a continuous development when taking a closer look. In her most recent book project, ‘The Continuity of Discontinuity’, the “grand dame” of postmodern dance examines how her understanding of her own creativity has changed through passing on her solo works to professional dancers. At the heart of her works and teachings is the dialogue with the dancing body, which for her always also possesses a spiritual dimension.
Deborah Hay (USA) choreographer
Fri, 7 June 18:00
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18:15 - 19:00 tanzhaus, Kleiner Saal
Video
Dance in a Critical Discourse on Aging
© Rita RobertoSusanne Martin’s lecture demonstration deals choreographically with the ageing female dancer body. She resists the glorification of youth and flawlessness in our society, in the eyes of which the body of a female dancer is always inadequate, always already too old. In her dance and performance practice, Martin seeks means to utilise the critical and subversive potential of the process of ageing. A very personal approach that simultaneously makes reference to discourses that have evolved since the 1990s in the field of “Critical Age Studies”.
Susanne Martin (D) choreographer
Respondent:
Katherine Mezur (USA) dance scholar
Sat, 8 June 10:00
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10:00 - 10:45 Capitol, Club
Video
How do we know?
On the Methodology of Practice as Research
In his lecture, the theatre scholar Robin Nelson seeks to define the concept of artistic research as “Practice as Research” (PaR). To this end, he provides an overview of the international debate on research in art and explains the conditions for accepting the concept within the academic world. In addition, he shows that PaR is still met with fierce resistance in some fields. He will then explain how PaR brings the dovetailing of theory and practice to the fore and situates itself within the dynamic interplay of three forms of knowledge. His core questions are: How do we know? What do we know? And: How do we know what we know?
Robin Nelson (UK) theatre scholar
Sat, 8 June 11:00
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11:00 - 12:30 Capitol, Studio
Dance Engaging Science
© Jessica SchäferIn several ‘Dance Engaging Science’ workgroup meetings, experts from dance practice, medicine and education, as well as specialists from philosophy, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, anthropology, architecture, and cultural studies have developed new forms of collaborative research in the field of dance. In an open discussion, the members of the group, Alva Noë, Michael Steinbusch, Maaike Bleeker, and Freya Vass-Rhee, will present a first “statement of principles” on the framework conditions and the use of this innovative research approach and give an account of their experiences.
Maaike Bleeker (NL) cultural theorist
Alva Noë (USA) philosopher
Michael Steinbusch (D) architect
Freya Vass-Rhee (D) dramaturge The Forsythe CompanyModeration:
Scott deLahunta (D) project leader Motion Bank
Supported by Volkswagen Stiftung -
11:15 - 12:45 tanzhaus, Studio 2
Artistic Research Lab: The Tandem Series
© Maria Silvano‘The Tandem Series’ seeks to overcome the separation between theory and practice. One artist and one scholar each will collaborate in three tandems. The choreographer Katja Münker and the cultural theorist Ralph Fischer examine the phenomenon of “walking” in the context of performances, the dancer Paula Kramer and the philosopher Wallace Heim deal with site-specific performances dedicated to the themes of landscape, nature and ecology, and the dancer Joa Hug along with the philosopher Mónica Alarcón explore the specific knowledge that is created through the practice of dance. Finally, the impressions, insights and experiences from the tandems will be summarised by Robin Nelson in a wrap-up and evaluated in regard to the discussion on artistic research.
Concept:
Joa Hug (D) in collaboration with Paula Kramer, Katja Münker (D)Tandem 1: Walking
Katja Münker (D) dancer, choreographer
Ralph Fischer (D) cultural theorist
Sat, 8 June 16:00
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16:00 - 17:30 Capitol, Theatersaal
Video
A Choreographer’s Score
© Anne Van AerschotWhere did the dance movements of ‘Fase’ originate? How was the structure created, and how did the use of counterpoint come about? Together with the performance theorist Bojana Cvejić, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker developed a multimedia guide to understanding her early works ‘Fase’, ‘Rosas danst Rosas’, ‘Elena’s Aria’, and ‘Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4’. The book ‘A Choreographer’s Score’ comprises detailed descriptions, drawings, and photos, supplemented by video recordings in which the choreographer demonstrates certain sequences. At the Dance Congress, De Keersmaeker and Cvejić will present the project with a special performance of ‘Violin Phase’, in conversation with Bettina Masuch.
Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker (B) choreographer
Bojana Cvejić (B) performance theorist and makerModeration:
Bettina Masuch (D) curator -
16:00 - 17:30 tanzhaus, Studio 6
Artistic Research Lab: The Tandem Series
© Stephen Bottoms‘The Tandem Series’ seeks to overcome the separation between theory and practice. One artist and one scholar each will collaborate in three tandems. The choreographer Katja Münker and the cultural theorist Ralph Fischer examine the phenomenon of “walking” in the context of performances, the dancer Paula Kramer and the philosopher Wallace Heim deal with site-specific performances dedicated to the themes of landscape, nature and ecology, and the dancer Joa Hug along with the philosopher Mónica Alarcón explore the specific knowledge that is created through the practice of dance. Finally, the impressions, insights and experiences from the tandems will be summarised by Robin Nelson in a wrap-up and evaluated in regard to the discussion on artistic research.
We will work outdoors, please dress accordingly
Concept:
Joa Hug (D) in collaboration with Paula Kramer, Katja Münker (D)Tandem 2: Shifting the Human: Touching Matter
Paula Kramer (D/UK) dancer, researcher
Wallace Heim (UK) author, philosopher
Sun, 9 June 10:00
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10:00 - 11:30 tanzhaus, Studio 2
Artistic Research Lab: The Tandem Series
‘The Tandem Series’ seeks to overcome the separation between theory and practice. One artist and one scholar each will collaborate in three tandems. The choreographer Katja Münker and the cultural theorist Ralph Fischer examine the phenomenon of “walking” in the context of performances, the dancer Paula Kramer and the philosopher Wallace Heim deal with site-specific performances dedicated to the themes of landscape, nature and ecology, and the dancer Joa Hug along with the philosopher Mónica Alarcón explore the specific knowledge that is created through the practice of dance. Finally, the impressions, insights and experiences from the tandems will be summarised by Robin Nelson in a wrap-up and evaluated in regard to the discussion on artistic research.
Concept:
Joa Hug (D) in collaboration with Paula Kramer, Katja Münker (D)Tandem 3: Embodied Knowledge
Joa Hug (D) dancer, researcher
Mónica Alarcón (D) philosopher -
10:00 - 13:00 tanzhaus, Großer Saal
Video
Here is You and not Me
On the Relationship between Dance and Architecture
© MichaelDouglas KollektivDance and architecture structure space through both movement and distinctions. Members of the Cologne-based MichaelDouglas Kollektiv and the architect Michael Steinbusch give insights into their long-term research work on the interrelations between the two disciplines. The lab involves the participants as dancers and in simple exercises explores the interplay of bodies, space and objects.
Douglas Bateman, Michael Maurissens, Susanne Grau, Sabina Perry, Adam Ster (D) dancers, choreographers, members of MichaelDouglas Kollektiv
Michael Steinbusch (D) architect
Sun, 9 June 13:00
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13:00 - 14:00 tanzhaus, Studio 2
Video
Artistic Research Lab: The Tandem Series
Wrap-up: Synthesis Tandem Series
‘The Tandem Series’ seeks to overcome the separation between theory and practice. One artist and one scholar each will collaborate in three tandems. The choreographer Katja Münker and the cultural theorist Ralph Fischer examine the phenomenon of “walking” in the context of performances, the dancer Paula Kramer and the philosopher Wallace Heim deal with site-specific performances dedicated to the themes of landscape, nature and ecology, and the dancer Joa Hug along with the philosopher Mónica Alarcón explore the specific knowledge that is created through the practice of dance. Finally, the impressions, insights and experiences from the tandems will be summarised by Robin Nelson in a wrap-up and evaluated in regard to the discussion on artistic research.
Concept:
Joa Hug (D) in collaboration with Paula Kramer, Katja Münker (D)Wrap-up: Synthesis Tandem Series
Robin Nelson (UK) theatre scholar
Joa Hug (D) dancer, researcher
Paula Kramer (D) dancer, researcher
Katja Münker (D) dancer, choreographer