May 19, 20, 21 - 13:00 – 17:00
In this creative workshop with choreographer and founding Artistic Director of Countertechnique, Anouk van Dijk, we will look at how tools from Countertechnique can inform the creative process, particularly where structured improvisation, composition and performing are intrinsically linked. Specific tasks and themes from some of Anouk’s recent works will serve as departure point. Each day will start with a 1hr Practical Tools session and short warm up, in which different Countertechnique tools will be introduced and explored. After a short break we will bring these tools into action and work towards the creation of short events. This workshop welcomes dance artists and performers who look to expand their physical and creative strategies, both for improvisation and choreography, both as performer and devisor.
No previous experience with Countertechnique is necessary, all creative minds are welcome! Please note this workshop does not include a full Countertechnique class. There is however the possibility to join a Countertechnique class in the morning, with Ema Yuasa.
ABOUT ANOUK VAN DIJK
Anouk van Dijk (NL/AU) is choreographer, director and the Founder of Countertechnique, a movement methodology she developed over the last 25 years of her career. She has been the Artistic Director of Australian contemporary dance company Chunky Move from 2012 - 2019. Before moving to Australia in 2012, Anouk van Dijk had an extensive career as a choreographer and dancer in Europe. Starting her career as a dancer in the late 80’s, Van Dijk formed her own Amsterdam-based company anoukvandijk dc in 1999, producing twenty full-length works that toured the globe. In 2012 Van Dijk was awarded the Golden Swan (Gouden Zwaan) – the Netherlands’ most prestigious dance accolade – in recognition of her outstanding artistic and academic contribution to dance in her home country. During her tenure as Artistic Director of Chunky Move, Anouk van Dijk has created thirteen full evening works, which have toured internationally extensively. Anouk works currently as a free-lance choreographer, director and educator, and is the Artistic Director of Countertechnique. She has recently created works for Staatsballet Berlin and the Münchner Kammerspiele, and later this year a new full-evening work for Skanes Dansteater will premiere at Malmö Opera.
Countertechnique is a movement system to help the dancer think about the dancing body, focusing on the process of incorporating information into action. The Practical Tools sessions offer more in depth and personalised information on how to implement the tools from Countertechnique in daily practice, in improvisation, the creative process and performance.
Wed 19 May,
13:00 – 17:00
Thu 20 May,
13:00 – 17:00
Fri 21 May,
13:00 – 17:00
Henny Jurriëns Studio (HJS)
Amsterdam (NL)