New Dance


New Dance has been developed in the seventies and its name is used mainly in Europe. In other parts of the world, e.g. in the United States, New Dance is part of Post Modern Dance. The interest was to look at the dancers again more as a unity of  body, mind and soul. New Dance has been influenced by different kinds of martial arts (e.g. Capoeira, Aikido, Tai Chi) and mainly the basic elements of presence, alertness and energy entered into this dance form. In order to find an organic way to move also different kinds of body work became a base of the exploration (as Feldenkrais, Alexander, Yoga). Individuality and authenticity are core elements of New Dance as well as improvisation that is considered as art work to be shown on stage.

The training in technique is based on organic movement principals and aims to differentiate the body awareness, to be more porous and flexible in the muscles and joints, to strengthen the body and to profit from energetic aspects. The focus is on lightness, strength and dynamic as well as on simplicity and the orientation in time and space. In the improvisation training the emphasis is on the commitment and the surrender to the here and now, the connection of the inner and the outer space and the decision making in solo and group situations. Grace to the use of distinct principles and improvisation techniques the dance goes beyond the “anything goes” and develops towards “Instant Composition” with the option to perform on stage!

Photographer: Mark Nolan; Dancers: Adrian Russi, Jacky Miredin, Charlie Morrissey