There is no need to pimp the reality of the body because it is beautiful, exciting and fascinating enough as it is. Especially in dance. Alexander Vantournhout, one of the most sought-after Belgian choreographers of his generation, and Axel Guérin are convinced of this. They have developed their duet to oppose the growing trend of reducing the human figure to images of it, and the manipulation of these images, especially on social media. Through the Grapevine is not a tart protest, however, but a skilful, whimsical and humorous method to propose a change in perspective. A pas de deux with constant mutual bodily contact that re-examines the meaning of touch as an irreplaceable form of intimacy. Playing with the differences in physical characteristics, the synergy between touching and being touched unfolds like a basic melody.
Concept and choreography: Alexander Vantournhout
Performers: Axel Guérin and Alexander Vantournhout
Created in collaboration with: Emmi Väisänen and Axel Guérin
Composer: Andrea Belfi
Dramaturgy: Rudi Laermans
Lighting design: Caroline Mathieu
Lighting proposal: Harry Cole
Technics: Rinus Samyn
Costumes: Anne-Catherine Kunz
Concept scenography: Bjorn Verlinde
Outside eye: Anneleen Keppens, Maria Ferreira Silva
Distribution: Frans Brood Productions
Company manager: Esther Maas
Production manager: Aïda Gabriëls
Photos: Bart Grietens
Thanks to: Sébastien Hendrickx, Vera Tussing, Esse Vanderbruggen
Coproducers: Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent (BE), PERPLX, Marke (BE), CENTQUATRE, Paris (FR), Cirque-théâtre Elbeuf (FR), Subsistances, Lyon (FR), Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, Luxembourg (LU), MA scène nationale – Pays de Montbéliard (FR), Les Hivernales CDCN, Avignon (FR), Malpertuis, Tielt (BE), Theater Freiburg (DE), Théâtre des Quatre Saisons, Gradignan (FR), Théâtre de l’Arsenal, Val-de-Reuil (FR)
Residencies: les ballets C de la B, Ghent (BE), Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent (BE), STUK, Leuven (BE), Subsistances, Lyon (FR), Wood Cube, Roeselare (BE), Workspacebrussels, Brussels (BE)
Residencies cancelled due to COVID-19: Arts Printing House, Vilnius (LT) Oerol, Ter Schelling (NL), Le Gymnase CDCN, Roubaix (FR), Grand Théâtre, Groningen (NL)
With the support of the Flemish authorities
Alexander Vantournhout is artist-in-residence in Arts Centre Vooruit in Ghent, associated artist of le CENTQUATRE Paris and Cirque-théâtre Elbeuf and cultural ambassador of the city of Roeselare.
Alexander Vantournhout is supported by Fondation BNP Paribas for the development of his projects.
