Creation for Beginners
The creative experience is a unique moment
“In this workshop the aim is to compose a choreographic object and/or to stimulate improvisation that will lead to an organic movement vocabulary centered around the senses rather than intellect. It will contain the artistic dimension of live performances – a divide from everyday life in order to allow other experiences, emotions, tastes and above all, a critical, creative spirit to flourish.
We will explore the development of movement vocabulary through systems of structured games. We will use the imagination to help discover different corporeal states – the basic materials of contemporary dance. We will explore the multiple parameters that enter into constructing choreography.
In order to do this, at the beginning of the session we look for ways that reveal the possibilities of the body as a whole, by working on relaxation and stretching. Through exercises and structured games we encourage precision and quality of movement as well as awareness of the self and of others.
We will also play with other elements related to movement such as time, space, energy, the body and its relation to others, to the floor, to a surface, to sound etc. The workshop will culminate in compositions and individual and collective improvisations that will unveil and bare witness to that ephemeral and unique instant — the live performance.
This workshop is greatly influenced by my experience and work as an artist. It is important for me to present the creative experience as a unique moment, as we live it as professionals: with due gravity and rigor, as well as with a zest for invention, for novelty and for each other.”
Rosas Repertory - Kinok
“The number is that which gives birth to action, measure is that which regulates it,
and weight is that which controls it.”
Louis Claude de Saint Martin in “The errors of truth”
For “Kinok” created in 1994 we have used the Russian word “KINOK” in collaboration with Thierry De Mey. It comes from cinema meaning “wink”. It has been the base for creating a musical composition and a choreography both deeply linked time-wise. Thus the dance is very musical and part of learning the material will be counting. Yet, my teaching will always emphasize the substance of the movement qualities. We will playfully approach the choreography enjoying the different flavours at home in the movements.
Rosas Repertory – Desh
“Not once, even during moments of deep concentration, should we abandon the notion of pleasure.“
We will learn pieces of the trio version made in 2005. Having been part of the creation process I will focus on letting the participants taste the sources of this work, the inspiration places where it comes from. The pleasure of experiencing movement, its emotional textures and all its differentiated qualities of volume, space, timbres and explosions will be in the centre of my teaching.
Marion BallesterMarion Ballester is a dancer and choreographer and received her education at the Conservatoire Régionale de la Rochelle, at the Centre Nationale de Danse Contemporaine and at Trisha Brown Studio in New York. In 1992 she became a member of Anne Terese de Keersmaker's Rosas and was assistant with "Once" and "I due Foscari".
In 2003 she created the Duo “Desh” together with Anne Terese de Keersmaker, which premiered at the Opéra de Rouen. She worked with the Company DCA, Phillipe Decoufle and collaborated with Paolo Henrique in Lisbon and with the Companie Philippe Saire in Lausanne a.o.
With her company Aoxoa, founded in 1998, she tours internationally and her work is shown in places such as St. Mark's Church and Judson Church in NYC, the Reprise au Centre National de la Danse, the Festival Les Jaloux de la Danse and l'Étoile du Nord in Paris, the Théatre Paul Eluard, in Bezons and the Asia Dance Forum in Singapore.
She teaches internationally a.o. at P.A.R.T.S, Brussels, Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique et de Danse, Lyon; White Street Center, Studio Janet PANETTA, New York and is guest lecturer at Rosas, Philippe SAIRE, Groupe Emile Dubois/Jean Claude Galotta etc.
Since 8 years now she is developing her own training classes for dance technique, which she offers for advanced and professional dancers, as well as for amateurs.
Photo: Marion Ballester © David Bergé