Viðtöl
In the spring and summer of 2021, Rex Beckett interviewed individuals and groups who worked on their performances at Dansverkstæðið; dancers, choreographers, performing artists and more. The articles provide a fun insight into the atmosphere at Dansverkstæðið at that point in time.
Expectations & desires: Steinunn Ketilsdóttir discusses The Practice Performed
In the world of dance, expectations have a tendency to rule everything around. Whether it be from educators, choreographers, audiences or performers themselves, it’s not always easy to let go to following your desires. This is the idea that has fuelled Steinunn Ketilsdóttir’s research since 2017, which she has now developed into the live context, as an ongoing series titled The Practice Performed.
Skapandi Sumarstörf Series #1: Strigagangur
This summer, we here at Dansverkstæðið are facilitating space for groups of young artists taking part in Hitt Húsið’s Skapandi Sumarstörf initiative. In this mini-interview series, we’ll present these groups and highlight their ongoing projects. First up is Strigagangur.
Dwelling In Nothingness: in Conversation with Yelena Arakelow
Thousands upon thousands of earthquakes have been shaking Iceland for the past three weeks and Yelena Arakelow is feeling the effects. The 27-year old dance artist from Switzerland has been presenting a piece in Listasafn Reykjanesbær since January, and her energy is running low.
Crashing Through the Pond: Recreating Swan Lake with Ásgeir Helgi Magnússon & Cameron Corbett
“Who are these women, these swans?” asks Ásgeir Helgi Magnússon. “Why are they there? How does it feel living in a pond?” These simple yet enigmatic questions are at the crux of what he and Cameron Corbett are in the midst of asking as they deconstruct Swan Lake.
Talk About The Weather: In Conversation with Marble Crowd
No matter how cliché the topic is elsewhere, talking about the weather is practically a sport in Iceland. In a place with such volatile meteorology, it’s impossible to not be affected and informed by its overarching and incessant presence. This is what the Marble Crowd collective are forging into on their new project.
Open Your Heart: Taneli Törma Brings Joy Back to Dancing
This weekend Dansverstæðið opens its doors to be part of the Reykjavík Fringe Festival, where Finnish choreographer Taneli Törmä brings his performance Open Your Heart. In it, he and Norwegian dancer Hilde I. Sandvold will perform with four Icelandic youths, aged 10-20, bringing forth joy and abandon through disco dancing. We had the chance to sit down with them before their shows to hear more about them.
Exorcising Juliet: In Conversation with Halla Ólafsdóttir & Erna Ómarsdóttir
We all know Juliet as the teenage girl who kills herself over a three day infatuation. The story of Romeo & Juliet is so ubiquitous across the world, taking on so many forms and names, that even without reading it one somehow knows it. Retelling the story and examining the character is outside of the picture for Halla Ólafsdóttir and Erna Ómarsdóttir in their work-in-progress, The Juliet Duet.