With its first major project, the Villa Wigman für TANZ (Villa Wigman for Dance) association has taken another step on the way to preserving the former Wigman School in Dresden as a historico-cultural location as well as a rehearsal, production and transfer centre for independent contemporary dance.
At Mary Wigman’s workplace and residence, the project initiators were taking the choreographer’s artistic and pedagogic positions as the starting point for a transformation in current artistic attitudes and working methods. It was thus possible to experience creative examination and critical discourse at this historical location in Dresden, which will also be developed as a production and performance venue for contemporary dance with a national reach.
Starting from Wigman’s methodical and philosophical approaches, a full evening programme by Katja Erfurth, Johanna Roggan, Isaac Spencer and Anna Till – in partnership with dancers from TanzNetzDresden – emerged.
There were also workshops, lectures, exhibitions and interventions in urban spaces in Dresden from June 2017 to July 2018 to create public awareness of Mary Wigman’s legacy as a dance artist.
The comprehensive programme was achieved with a range of co-operation partners, namely the Umbrella Association for Dance in Germany, the Leipzig Dance Archive, the Institute of Theatre Studies at the University of Leipzig, the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts and the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden.
In addition to lectures, podium discussions, talks with contemporary witnesses and film screenings, also practical workshops took place.
Artistic direction – Katja Erfurth, Johanna Roggan, Isaac Spencer and Anna Till
Production direction – Josefine Wosahlo
Press and PR work – Isolde Matkey
Production assistance – Heike Zadow
Co-operation partners – the Umbrella Association for Dance in Germany (Michael Freundt), the Leipzig Dance Archive / Institute of Theatre Studies at the University of Leipzig (Patrick Primavesi), the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts (Stefanie Wenner), the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts / MA CoDE (Ingo Diehl), the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden (Jason Beechey)
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The trailer of “Kreis Dreieck Chaos – Die Tänze der Mary Wigman heute” has been compiled by the project itself.
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The film documentation has been compiled by the project itself and offers an initial insight into the activities that have taken place to date.
