The (other) Body
How can we express intimate experiences as queer-identified/ alternative individuals?
Most sought-after European contemporary choreographer
Jefta van Dinther
An analogy that transports us beyond the surface
Two naked bodies entwine in a cavernous space, moving between flesh and blood. Are they human or machine? Lovers or strangers? The answer is yet to be filled. Under the "Dark Field" microscope, every detail of blood cells is crystal clear, blatantly disclosing one's body condition with no pretence. Jefta van Dinther underwent this alternative treatment, experiencing a transcendental connection with the doctor, where "blood" became their bond and an analogy for their intimate relationship. The autopsy of life reveals the weight of fragility. Through dance and introspection, Jefta transports us into a world beyond what our eyes can see, with humility.
Programme Details
17/9 (Sun) 3pm
$280
The performance runs approximately 1 hour with no intermission.
*This programme contains nudity scenes*To respect the performers and the audience inside the venue, latecomers will not be allowed into the show and will not be refunded after the program has started. The host unit reserves the right to make the final decision.
*Free Seating
*Aged below 6 not admitted
Direction, Text & Choreography: Jefta van Dinther
Text & Creative Performers: Juan Pablo Cámara, Roger Sala Reyne
Lighting Designer: Minna Tiikkainen
Scenographer: Cristina Nyffeler
Executive Lighting Designer & Scenographer (Hong Kong): Samuel Chan
Sound Designer: David Kiers
Songs: Based on the tracks ”The Slow Drug” and ”Horses in my Dreams” by PJ Harvey
Assistant Choreographer: Thiago Granato
Artistic Advisors: Gabriel Smeets, Felix Bethge
Technical Coordinator: Bennert Vancottem
Stage Manager: LokC Chan
Juan Pablo Cámara
Juan Pablo Cámara is a choreographer and performer living in Berlin. He began his training in dance and theater in Buenos Aires, where he also worked as an actor and performer. In 2013 he moved to Amsterdam to study at the School for New Dance Development (SNDO), from which he graduated in 2017. His artistic practice fluctuates between creating his own works, creating in collaboration with other artists* and working as a performer in various projects. His choreographic research deals with issues such as artificiality, identity construction and disembodiment. His work has been presented in Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Lisbon and Poland. He has worked as a performer for choreographers Mi- chele Rizzo, Adam Linder and Kat Valastur, among others. He collaborated with Jefta van Dinther in the performance "Dark Field Analysis” (2017) and “Unearth” (2022).
Roger Sala Reyner
Roger Sala Reyner is a performer living and working in Berlin. He completed a four-year BA degree in physical theater at the Institut del Teatro in Barcelona and a BA degree in choreography at the School for New Dance Development (SNDO) in Amsterdam. Over the past decade he has collaborated regularly with a number of choreographers, including Meg Stuart, Thiago Granato and Jefta van Dinther. He considers his own artistic practice collaborative and is currently developing a joint working platform with choreographer Guillaume Marie and dramaturg Igor Dobricic. Roger is also a longtime member of John the Houseband, a nomadic amateur performative music band. He collaborated with Jefta van Dinther in the performances "As It Empties Out” (2014), "Dark Field Analysis” (2017) and “Unearth” (2022).
Manager: Sven Naumann
Production Manager: Romy Hansford-Gerber, Uta Engle
Touring Manager: Romy Hansford-Gerber
Distribution: Key Performance
Administration: Interim kultur AB (svb)
Co-production
Tanz im August / HAU Hebbel am Ufer Berlin; Tanzquartier Vienna;
Sadler’s Wells London; PACT Zollverein Essen; Centro Cultural Vila Flor
Guimaraes and Dansens Hus Oslo
Funded by
Swedish Arts Council; City of Stockholm and the NATIONALES PERFORMANCE
NETZ (NPN) Co-production Fund for Dance , which is funded by the Federal
Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media on the basis of a decision by
the German Bundestag
Supported by
O Espaço do Tempo Montemor-o-Novo, BUDA Kortrijk and The Swedish
National Touring Theatre
Jefta van Dinther Performance Workshop and Sharing
"From the microscopic body landscape: to dissect life experience”
Jefta van Dinther regards performance as an art of gaining insight into life, shining a theatrical light on the invisible details of existence. What conscious thoughts lurk in our minds, guiding our choices? This workshop will open up intimate moments of self-dialogue, allowing the body to become a medium for dissecting life.
Letters of response "Unfold the Thinking"
This year’s Unfold the Thinking Performance Writing Project aims to respond to the theme “Think with the ( ) Body” by considering writing as a vehicle for thought and transforming reading into physical action. This year, contemporary dance artist Dick Wong is invited to co-author with six writers from different backgrounds, experimenting with the possibilities of writing performances beyond criticism in response to the creators/works of #DANCELESS complex 2023.
The direction of this year’s writing project is based on “guided readings”. The writers’ work on approaching the performance pieces will be collected in separate envelopes. Although the contents are text-based, they can also use images, symbols and typography to create “Guided Reading Letters”, which will be placed at the front desk for the audience to read before the start of their respective shows. The envelopes contain guidelines on the best time to read them (e.g. before/ after the show/ other). From opening the envelopes to reading the letters, the viewing experiences interwoven in the text will be unveiled layer by layer. The audience will gain another perspective on the work through these outside (or inside) readings.
At the end of the project, there will be a sharing session where the audience, writers, and curators will be invited to have a dialogue and discuss the relationship between performance, viewing and writing.