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Learn more about dance in Munich! In TTmag dance creators talk about their aesthetics and approach, dance formats and Munich dance topics are put under the microscope! |
 Conversations about pieces Zufit Simon: Radical Cheerleading What was the initial spark for you on the subject? It was a longer process. I saw various scenes of demonstrations, but initially only as an observer. It wasn't until I discovered Radical Cheerleading that I got the idea to make a piece about it. It's a very positive form of protest and that's something that appeals to me a lot. The fact that although it deals with serious issues, you don't lose the joy and also the fun, I find very impressive. You have gathered a very heterogeneous and international ensemble around you, how did you find each other? I already knew some of the dancers from previous works. Otherwise, I had received some recommendations and am very happy with them. I am not a fan of the auditions with many people that are still common in our industry. For me, the intimate conversation is often more important as the beginning of a collaboration. A dialogue then develops from this: verbally and physically. In the staging of your physicality there are many echoes of current protests, be it the women in Iran taking to the streets for more freedom, the Americans demonstrating against the new abortion law, ... how did you go about developing the choreography? We looked at a lot of different materials: Videos, photos, and also personal accounts of experiences. The cultural difference is often decisive in the evaluation of individual scenes. All these things are always present as context and ultimately create how something is read. From these materials we first extracted simple movements and then started to repeat them. Then gradually texts, music and costumes were added and hopefully create new references. It is very powerful and invigorating to see and feel the self-empowerment of using the resources of your own body, voice and performance, concerted movement in the group, what are your experiences? We became a real group only a few weeks before the premiere because two of the performers joined us later. So it was easy to see how the energy of the individual scenes increased. It makes a big difference if there is one voice or several. Even with professional dancers, the voices get louder and the movements faster. One simply dares more. This has then also greatly influenced the interplay of voice, facial expressions and rhythm. What would you take to the streets for? In terms of content, for many things. Currently, for sure climate change and the problems that go along with it. However, until now I have always felt a little uncomfortable in large groups of people. If there is no more "personal space", the physical distance between the bodies is dwindling, then that has made me feel rather insecure. However, after this piece I also see how much power a demonstration can achieve and how much attention you can get with simple means. Through the project, I have definitely asked myself such questions anew. The right to demonstrate and to express oneself freely is a great good. Perhaps we should all exercise it more often. „Radical Cheerleading” will take place February 16. – 18., always at 8:30 pm at schwere reiter: >INFO More about Zufit Simon: Website The interview was conducted by Beate Zeller, December 2022  Tanztendenz Munich e.V. is sponsored by the Munich Department of Arts and Culture |
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