Curatorial Statement – Ballet BC
November 08, 2012
January 24-26, 2013 Ballet BC presents Encore, a mixed program featuring three diverse and exciting works of contemporary ballet. Encore is being presented in collaboration with the Push International Performing Arts Festival.
WHO ARE YOU
My name is Emily Molnar. I am a choreographer, dancer, teacher and the Artistic Director of Ballet BC; a unique contemporary ballet company in Canada, committed to innovation and collaboration.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Encore is a mixed program of three very dynamic and diverse works by international choreographers working at the forefront of contemporary ballet today:
Herman Schmerman, choreographed by William Forsythe, was premiered by New York City Ballet in 1992 to music by Dutch composer Thom Willems, and is a riveting example of Forsythe’s signature style. His work is widely acknowledged for reorienting ballet from its identification with the classical repertoire to a dynamic 21st century art form.
1st Flash, by Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo to Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47, is a dynamically beautiful and musical work for six dancers. Originally choreographed for Netherlands Dance Theatre in 2003, this work was a huge audience success because of its choreographic freshness. Elo is the Resident Choreographer of Boston Ballet.
Petite Cérémonie, choreographed for Ballet BC by rising European dance star Medhi Walerski and premiered in 2011, is a powerful and poetic full-company piece. It explores a range of dimensions, culminating in a surprising and delightful mix of dance and theatre. Walerski is presently a dancer and choreographer with Netherlands Dance Theatre.
WHY I CHOSE TO PRESENT THIS SHOW
As the Artistic Director of Ballet BC, I chose to present Encore because I felt these were important works that displayed a refined contemporary approach to ballet from three different perspectives, and because they had a powerful impact on Ballet BC’s audiences, as well as repeated requests to be seen again. These are virtuosic and poetic works that explore the possibilities of dance, creating an experience for the audience as a participant of the visceral and expressive intelligence of the body.
3 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD SEE THIS SHOW
· For the experience of being moved.
· To see the work of three distinct international choreographic voices in contemporary ballet from late 20th century to today.
· To see great dancers perform dynamic and challenging works that will likely change your views on ballet and contemporary dance.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION TO THIS WORK
The three works captivated me. They are dynamic, visceral, and virtuosic, and conceptually riveting for their attention to the poetry and intelligence of movement and the architecture of space and sound.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST ENCOUNTER THIS ARTISTS WORK?
I worked closely with William Forsythe as a member of the Frankfurt Ballet. Jorma and Medhi’s work I became familiar with while I lived and worked in Europe.
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH PUSH
Ballet BC is proud and honoured to be a part of the PuSh Festival because of the attention the Festival places on innovation, experimentation and community for the arts.
WHAT DO I WANT AUDIENCES TO GET OUT OF THE SHOW
An experience. A deeper sense of meaning. Possibility.