The Batsheva Dance Company, Israel’s premier dance troupe, was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv. Under the artistic leadership of Ohad Naharin (from 1990 to 2018), it developed a movement language known as Gaga. The Gaga/Dancers Track is what Batsheva trains in; it is geared toward professional dancers and specifically Batsheva’s. There is also a track called Gaga/People, which is geared towards anyone and requires no dance experience. As a movement language, Gaga has shaped both Batsheva and modern dance as a whole.
Quote: “The company… will perform Mr. Naharin’s latest work, ‘Venezuela,’ which contains familiar ingredients like ferocious solos, kaleidoscopic ensemble scenes, and moments of theatrical audaciousness. Here, it’s all hung on a bold conceptual structure: It’s performed twice. After 40 minutes, the choreography repeats, although with different music, different lighting, and different dancers.
“And something else will be different on this visit: Mr. Naharin is no longer in charge of Batsheva. Last September, after nearly 30 years as the company’s artistic director, he handed the reins to Gili Navot, a former dancer with the company, while he assumed the position of house choreographer. In that role, Mr. Naharin will continue to create new work, while Ms. Navot will be responsible for the daily decision-making and long-term direction of the company.”
Sources: Wikipedia (introduciton), The New York Times (quotation)
Learn more about the Batsheva Dance Company from Wikipedia. ►
Watch “Natalie Portman, Ohad Naharin, and Heymann Brothers on Mr. Gaga documentary” [4:20]. ►
Watch “Echad Mi Yodea by Ohad Naharin performed by Batsheva — the Young Ensemble”[7:29]. ►
Watch “Naharin’s Virus performed by Batsheva Dance Company” [2:36]. ►
Photo: Australian Book Review
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