Diren dance! on Istanbul stage

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

iDANS will be hosting ‘Rosas danst Rosas,’ which is considered a turning point in the history of dance, by pioneer contemporary choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker. It was performed countless times all over the world, and in the 30 years since its creation it has been learned over and over by new groups of dancers. The performance will support the recent protests.

Organized by BiMERAS in Istanbul over the past six years, the iDANS Contemporary Dance and Performance Festival, which has become one of the most innovative and prestigious dance and contemporary performing arts festivals in Europe, is set to return with a difference this weekend. It is hosting “Rosas danst Rosas” by pioneer contemporary choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker on June 22 and June 23, as an expression of iDANS’s struggle to continue with its “inexhaustible dance” in the most difficult conditions.

“Rosas danst Rosas” was recently the subject of a controversy regarding issues of authors’ rights and choreographic plagiarism, after megastar Beyoncé “borrowed” parts of the piece for a music video without permission. It was a controversy that marked an interesting crossover of avant-garde art with popular culture.

 From the mid-1980s onwards, a unique artistic field proposing a new understanding of choreography came into being. One of the most significant figures who had brought about this shift was De Keersmaeker, both as a visionary and as an artist. De Keersmaeker had submitted an application to the Flemish authorities in 1981 for support to her Rosas project, but was rejected as an “idiosyncratic choreographer.” However, 20 years after this, King Albert II of Belgium conferred on her the title of “baroness.”

‘Girl power’ and protest

She is now back on the iDANS stage, this time with “Rosas danst Rosas,” which will be presented for the first time in Turkey. The piece is considered a turning point in the history of dance. Becoming a huge international success at its onset in 1983, the production also marked the start of the Rosas Company. It was performed countless times all over the world, and in the 30 years since its creation it has been learned over and over by new groups of dancers. The choreography has often been associated with “girl-power” and protest.

In an attempt to support the pluralistic participatory democracy movement in Turkey, tickets for the event will be free of charge. All dance lovers are invited to join on June 22 and 23. Reservations are possible by e-mail (reservation@bimeras.org) or by phone (0212-2448272).

For detailed information: www.idans.info