Matière(s) première(s) and [Superstrat[, choreographer Anne Nguyen discusses the relationship between traditional and urban dance. Drawing on the history of urban social dances of Afro-American origin, known as 'hip-hop' dances, and of African urban dances, known as 'Afro' dances, Anne discusses how dance reflects the relationships between the people who make up the territories where it is practiced. Dance anchors an identity in time and space, offers a common grammar and sets the rhythms of life. It arises from a social need for self and collective assertion, and rebirths as soon as a micro-generation breaks away from its predecessor. From traditional rural communities to individuals inside modern cosmopolitan societies, urban social dances arise from successive processes of creolization between different fragments of cultures held captive in constricted urban spaces. Anne Nguyen explores the relationships between traditional and urban dances, the processes at play and the way population displacements towards metropolitan areas, modernity, and intention, influence dance.
This talk is echoing the themes and dances explored in choreographer Anne Nguyen’s shows Matière(s) première(s) and [Superstrat[, presented at the festival. The talk will be facilitated Kristyn Fontanella
Please note the start time for this event has been changed to 15.00.
Dancer, choreographer, author and theatre director Anne Nguyen founded the par Terre Dance Company in 2005. She has created about twenty shows, several interactive installations and short films. She also wrote a collection of poems and several articles on dance.
Coming from the world of breakdance battles and influenced by scientific studies, she draws from the observation of gestures, danced as well as ordinary, individual as well as collective, to turn urban dances and popular cultures into a support for a reflection on tradition, on social markers, on diversity, on cultural appropriation and on the tensions between multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism.
As a dance artist/choreographer Kristyn Fontanella focuses her knowledge of traditional Irish step dancing and presents it in a contemporary context. Having toured for many years with Riverdance, Lord of the Dance & as lead soloist in Gaelforce Dance, her current mission is to show another side of the complex world of Irish Step dancing to future generations.
Kristyn creates, directs and produces her own work which has successfully toured across Ireland as well as showing in DRFI in NYC, Dublin Dance Festival (IE), Echo Echo Dance Platform (NI), Fira Tárrega (ES), Marseille New Danse Festival (FR), Tanzmesse (DE) and Fira Tárrega (ES). In 2024 Kristyn was the artist in residence through the International Residency Initiative Scheme with Earagail Arts Festival (IE), Cairde Festival (IE), ISACS and Fira Tárrega (ES). Through this residency she produced her new outdoor solo work, Miss Mary, tracing her dance lineage and sharing to the people she meets along her way (Supported by Town Hall Theatre Patrons Donation Award, Galway International Arts Festival Elevate Bursary and a Bursary Award from the Irish Arts Council).
Kristyn resides in Co. Galway where she continues her creative process exploring the two worlds of Traditional and Contemporary dance. In 2023 she was appointed as the Executive Director of Galway Dance, a resource organization supporting dance artists in the West/Northwest of Ireland.
Venue | Black Box Theatre
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