I have the great opportunity to speak with each of this years TANZFAKTOR participants at the Theater ROXY Birsfelden/Basel (16th & 17th of March, 8pm). TANZFAKTOR makes it possible for dance producers and young professionals to present their current work in different places, beyond their usual scope and to a wider public. The gala character of Tanzfaktor offers the opportunity to get an overall view of Swiss contemporary dance culture by means of concise and concentrated presentations. The inter-regional cast of the expert judges is meant to question local assessment patterns, confront different viewpoints and break mechanisms that are too insider- or scene-associated. New contacts to the dance scene outside of their own region will emerge for the organizers. They can profit from the inter-regional exchange that opens up space for new inspirations, projects and commitments.
Marion ZURBACH… You are the artistic director of the company UNPLUSH… What does it mean to you to be participating at TANZFAKTOR?
It means the chance to perform in some great theatres in Switzerland and to meet new artists. I look very much forward to present my choreography « My Box » restaged for Maria Demandt, a gifted young dancer who started her professional career with the Bern Ballet (Tanzcompagnie Konzert Theater Bern).
Tell me a bit about yourself and your training.
I was born in Martigues, France, and I started my training at the Ecole nationale de danse in Marseille when I was nine. In 2000, when I was 16, I joined the Ecole-Atelier Rudra-Béjart in Lausanne. Two years later I began to work with Maurice Béjart’s Company M, the Balletto di Firenze (Florence), the Ballet national de Marseille with Frédéric Flamand and Bern Ballett.
Do you have a mentor? Someone who advises you on your work?
No, I don’t have a mentor but I have several advisers who form part of our company, Unplush.
A source of inspiration for you? For your work?
I admire the work of Jérôme Bel, Forced Entertainment, Angélica Liddell, Christiane Jatahy and many more. As a kid I saw « Cendrillon » by Maguy Marin and I was mesmerized! I think this piece is very responsible for my desire to dance and choreograph.
Struggles or hard moments during this creation?
There were no difficulties making this work. It was summer in Bern and we were working in an empty building… just the dancer and me. We were quite relaxed.
Organizational challenges?
As we are a fairly new company, and quite small, we have been involved in everything from lighting to photography but we have managed all of it… on time.
Photography: Fhunyue Gao (main photo also)
Benefits of participating in the Tanzfaktor?
Of course! We are performing in seven theatres, which is fantastic, and we have the possibility to create new contacts, outside Bern.
Something you look forward to learning or discovering in the Tanzfaktor process?
I’m looking forward to meeting more artists or people interested in dance and theatre, getting feedback from them and seeing new work. It’s going to be a very fulfilling experience.
Will you expand this short piece?
I haven’t considered that yet. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for this piece.
Do you have a specific dream or goal to achieve?
I would like to finish my MA Theater – Expanded Theater at the Hochschule der Künste Bern HKB (Bern University of Arts) and get involved in more projects with Unplush and other artists.
If you could change one thing for young choreographers growing up in Switzerland, what would it be?
Since I stopped working for a State Theater I realize how difficult it is to earn a living as a freelancer. Considering the temporary nature of our work, I think it is necessary for the arts to be given some kind of economic status and for artists to be able to rely on some kind of basic financial support. That would definitely help us grow.
Photography: Caroline Minjolle
TANZFAKTOR 2016 — (Basel edition) — Theater ROXY — Wed 16 March, 20h — Thur 17 March, 20h —
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Organization in Basel: ROXY Birsfelden & Tanzbüro Basel (IG Tanz)
www.theater-roxy.ch
www.tanzbuero-basel.ch
Organization on national level: RESO Swiss Dance Network
www.tanzfaktor.ch
www.reso.ch
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Programme at the ROXY
Video trailer by Zelda Productions
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou-
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FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/tanzfaktor
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Supports in Basel: kulturelles.bl Kanton Basel-Landschaft / Präsidialdepartement Basel-Stadt – Abteilung Kultur / Fonds Edith Maryon / Fonds Warteck pp
Supports on national level: Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council, Foundation Ernst Göhner, Migros Culture Percentage
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TANZFAKTOR 2016 on tour in Switzerland:
Lucerne: Südpol, 10th March. / Neuchâtel: ADN – Hiver de Danses, 12th & 13th March / Birsfelden/Basel: Theater ROXY 16th & 17th March / Losone/Locarno: Performa Festival Fabbrica di Losone, 2nd April / Steckborn: Phönix Theater, 21st & 22nd April / Lausanne: Théâtre Sévelin 36, 13th & 14th May / Bern: Dampfzentrale, 12th & 13th June / Zurich: Fabriktheater Rote Fabrik 23rd & 24th September / Geneva: Théâtre de l’Usine, 30th September 2016.
www.tanzfaktor.ch
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