The Art of Faux Pas #5 - Seke Chimutengwende

Today we are chatting with Ramona Nagabczyńska. Ramona is a Canadian and Polish dance artist from Toronto, based in Warsaw. She trained at the Warsaw State Ballet School, at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt and at The Place in London.She then performed with (only to name a few!)  Polish Dance Theatre, Saju Hari, Fleur Darkin, Tom Dale, Emma Martin, Junk Ensemble, David Wampach, and Clod Ensemble. In 2008 Ramona co-founded the Universal Law of Impermanence (U/LOI) collective, and in 2013 she co-founded Centrum w Ruchu (Centre in Motion), a cooperative of Warsaw based dance artists. Her work has been touring internationally and was selected twice by Aerowaves. She was supported by the apap Network, project co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the „Creative Europe” program.Together we talked about BALLET LEGS / the UNAVOIDABLE MATERIALITY OF DANCE / DANCING DESIRES / OBJECTIFICATION OF PERFORMERS / DOING SOMETHING YOU HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT. I hope you'll enjoy this chat as much as I did!

Today we are chatting with Jill Crovisier. Jill is a Luxembourgish dancer, choreographer, videographer and sound creator.  She is very often on the road, travelling the world to perform with her own company, or/and to create for other existing companies. She has participated in many European Choreographic competitions and amongst other commissions, has created the piece Tanzabend for the Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen (DE). She places 'a strong emphasis on creating work that is inclusive and emotionally engaging, even for those who may not be familiar with contemporary dance’. Together we talked about the healing and liberating power of dance, scrolling less, mental health and its link to the notion of success.. there s been tears too.  Thank you Jill for your trust, your openness and your sincerity. I hope you ll enjoy this chat as much as I did! 

Bernard Baumgarten is a Luxembourgish dance artist, choreographer, director, mentor (you name it!!) notoriously known for being the artistic director of the TROIS C-L Maison pour la Danse of Luxembourg since 2007. He is an ear and a support to many emerging and established artists, from Luxembourg and internationally. I have rarely met someone so patient and kind to the young generation of makers. He started his dance career as a dancer in Germany, France, Austria and Luxembourg before transitioning into the realm of choreography, his works have been showcased on an international stages.TROIS C-L holds membership in Aerowaves and the European EDN (European Dancehouse Network) network, underscoring its commitment to the broader European dance community. In addition to his role at TROIS C-L, Baumgarten serves as an advisor to the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture and holds a position as a board member of Kultur LX Art Consul of Luxembourg.Bernard also played a crucial role in founding the international artistic exchange network known as Grand Luxe. This network is designed to facilitate collaboration and dialogue among European choreographers, functioning as a hub for sharing ideas and fostering artistic growth. Together we talked about FALLING ASLEEP ON STAGE / INTEGRITY / THE. SHOW MUST GO ON / NEVER LOOK BACK / and MUSICALS. 

Today we are chatting with René Alejandro Huari Mateus. René is a dance artist from Colombia, she studied chemistry before discovering dance and the power of movement rolling down her spine one day. Encounters brought her to Germany where she trained At the Folkwang School in Essen - before dancing as a guest dancer for Pina Bausch. She then worked as a full time dancer of the the Staatsatheater Kassel, for 3 seasons, she also worked amongst others, with Tino Sehgal during Documenta13. René has always been interested in creating, she (and I quote) 'choreographs dances that celebrate the more-than-human, pursuing a naïve stubbornness: to defy the windmills of institutionalized discrimination, which in Germany occasionally allows some dances to be choreographed by some non-Germans.'René is a gift in my life, I will always remember the joy I felt when we bumped into each other in an elevator. This meant the audition we both attended, was about to offer 2 years of incredible friendship and artistic partnership. René is a dear friend and a wonderful artist and thinker I feel connected to - someone with an ultra creative mind and a fascinating analytical eye. She thinks outside the box and outside the box thats outside the box. You will laugh at her stories, and think through her words.. I hope you’ll enjoy this chat as much as I did!

Seeta Patel is an award-winning choreographer and dancer based in London. She began her training under the guidance of Kiran Ratna in 1990. She has since worked with a range of Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance professionals including (and to name a few) Mavin Khoo or Darshan Singh Bhuller. She has also performed and toured with a number of companies such as DV8 Physical Theatre and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company amongst others.Seeta is an Associate Artist at Sadlers Wells (London). More recently, her work ‘The Rite of Spring’ was nominated for an Olivier Award in the Best New Dance Category, making her the first woman of colour nominated in this category. The piece has also just been nominated for a National Dance Awards in Best Classical Choreography, her company in Best Independent Company Category,, and one of her collaborator Sooraj Subramaniam, for Outstanding Male Classical Performance in ‘The Rite of Spring’ ….. Best of luck!!!!! Compassion and integrity are the two words that come to mind when reflecting on the chat we had together. Compassion towards herself, compassion towards the live performance - a space where everything can happen. We talked about the incredible power of art, the invaluable chance being able to create represents, misogynie, racism, cats, tripping on stage… I hope you’ll enjoy this chat as much as I did! 

Breanna O’Mara is a Dance Artist from Detroit (US) and is now based in Vienna. She has worked with Liquid Loft, Staatstheater Kassel, Ballett Baselm, and has danced and toured the wolrd with Tanztheater Wuppertal and Dimitris Papaioannou. She is currently the Contemporary Dance Rehearsal Director at the Paris Opera. Breanna shines bright with passion, enthusiasm, humility and empathy. Distance too.. which I love! Together we talked about being stuck in a curtain for 10 minutes, empathy and other forms of intelligence, the world made of tiny pools, not being seen, and dance as a way to express oneself. -> Quick note about this episode; it was recorded when I was abroad in a very echoey hotel room / apologise for that! 

Sarah Blanc is an Irish artist based in London. She is simply magnificent: she shines with positivity, passion and enthusiasm. She s also funny as hell. I love that she describes herself as a loud mouth choreographer, performer and host. Sarah is the Artistic Director of Moxie Brawl -  a spicy inclusive dance theatre company who makes work that your mum would love (isn’t that best line ever). As a freelance choreographer/movement director she has worked with companies, organisations and artists such as Complicite, Bryony Kimmings, the Royal Opera House, Perth Concert Hall and The Place amongst others. She is currently working with  Dan Daw and Xnthony Ltd.Together we talked about protecting your own peace, happiness, the love of performing and the sensation of a full on impostor syndrome of a council estate princess. 

Anne-Mareike Hess is a Luxembourgish dance artist and has been working in the field of contemporary dance for 17 years. Her work has toured extensively and counts amongst others, the piece Warrior which was part of Aerowaves 2020. I personally love Anne-Mareike’s take on life, work and her exquisite sense of humour! Together we talked about being tutu number 26, about the importance of being creative, living fully one impulse to not regret it, not letting the outer world or definition of success rule YOUR world and the wonderful feeling of herself being in a beautiful place about her practice and work today.

Seke Chimutengwende is a choreographer, performer, movement director and teacher based in London. As a performer, he’s worked with DV8, Lost Dog and Forced Entertainment amongst others. Improvisation is at the centre of Seke’s work.He has been practicing completely improvised performance, using movement and text, since 2006 and has performed over 70 solo improvisations internationally. Together we talked about the need and the luxury of time, the feeling of constantly auditioning as an artist, and enjoyment… I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! 

Laura Patay is a French dancer. She’s worked for several years with Candoco Dance Company where she performed works by Trisha Brown and Yasmeen Godder and amongst others. Laura is phenomenal, fierce, fearless and quite frankly the incarnation of resilience.Together we talked about different bodies, pleasure, touring the world, accelerated solo, motherhood and postpartum bodies... … I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!