Also on
May 15, 2015 21:00

Empty moves consists of actions and movements inspired by the words and phonemes read by John Cage at the Teatro Lirico in Milan and recorded live on December 2nd, 1977.
The notion of an alienation effect, the deconstruction of movement and a new expression of choreographic phrasing prevail over the definition and essence of the movements.
Thus the piece establishes a link with Henry David Thoreau’s text, which was the inspiration for John Cage, and a connection to the unflinching determination of the instigator of that evening in Milan.
Angelin Preljocaj

“… Preljocaj at his best, pushing to the limits an abstract and sensual dance where the couples appear to be continually embracing. One moment they are balancing on the tips of their toes, the next extending a leg over their head, all without apparent effort. The best is yet to come in this innovative piece for four, when the dancers interlock and appear to move as one. The choreographer’s passion for the body is so evident that it is impossible to disengage oneself. Angelin Preljocaj, one of the few choreographers who create a score for their dance pieces, has a culture of movement, which he loves to share and which is highly enjoyable. Empty moves, a looping cycle of movements, ends where it begins, as close as possible to this imaginary course.”
Les Échos, 13 April 2006

choreography: Angelin Preljocaj
sound: John Cage, Empty words
with: Nuriya Nagimova, Yurié Tsugawa, Fabrizio Clemente, Baptiste Coissieu
special thanks to Goran Vejvoda
assistant to the artistic direction: Youri Van den Bosch
choreologist: Dany Lévêque

Empty moves (parts I, II &III), Creation 2014
Co-production Festival Montpellier Danse 2014, Théâtre de la Ville-Paris

Empty moves (parts I & II), Creation 2007
Co-production Festival Montpellier Danse 2007

Empty moves (part I), Creation 2004
Commission Biennale nationale de danse du Val-de-Marne
Co-production The Joyce Theater’s Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work

[photo: Jean-Claude Carbonne]