CCDF 25|Vénus Anatomique

4/6
VÉNUS ANATOMIQUE
55’, 14+
SARAH BALTZINGER
France

Concept, Artistic Direction, Choreography: Sarah Baltzinger
Co-creation & Choreographic Assistance: Isaiah Wilson
Co-creation & Performance: Chiara Corbetta, Shana Kalis, Marie Lévénez, Clara-Lou Munié, Océane Robin
Sound Composition: Guillaume Julien
Dramaturgy: Amandine Truffy, Isaiah Wilson, Sarah Baltzinger
Background Research: Alexandra Joly, Sarah Baltzinger
Set Design: Manon Terranova
Body Sculptures: Manuela Benaim
Rehearsal Director: Brian CA
Lighting Design & Stage Management: Thibault Dubourg
Co-produced by: GRAND THÉÂTRE, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Arsenal / Cité Musicale-Metz, TROIS C-L, Maison pour la danse, Festival Faits d’Hiver (Micadanses) – Paris
Partners & Supporters: Centre National de la Danse – Lyon, Cie La Baraka / La Chapelle – Abou Lagraa & Nawal Aït Benalla, Théâtre des Cordeliers – Annonay, Ministère de la Culture du Luxembourg, Kultur I LX, DRAC Grand Est, Région Grand Est, Département de la Moselle, Ville de Metz, Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, SPEDIDAM, ADAMI, Fondation Indépendance

In reference to the fascinating wax figures created by the ceroplast Clemente Susini (late 18th century), Vénus Anatomique articulates itself between the macabre and "pulsion de vie". The piece creates an imaginary world that explores the strange, erotic, and biblical nature of these artificial bodies, originally designed to teach anatomy.

This work continues a choreographic research around puppeteering and mechanical gestures, revealing the body in a fragmented way. The tension between physical intensity and stillness drives the choreography. Vénus Anatomique presents a collection of female bodies prepared for “labour”, suddenly plunged into survival. These bodies oscillate between human nature and objectified representations. This duality is met with the body’s instinct to reclaim itself. Sarah Baltzinger offers a critical take on the disorder of a world obsessed with superficial simulacra and sexualisation of the female form, turning femininity into a masquerade performed through an absurd and distorted lens.

In her choreographic work, Sarah Baltzinger enjoys exploring all possibilities around the puppeteering body. She uses the body, in connection with different materials, as a complex tool of possibilities aimed at transforming the natural approach to movement to create strange worlds, between absurd theatricality and intense physicality.

Sarah Baltzinger, a self-made artist, began contemporary dance at the age of 18. She studied performing arts, art history and cultural industry at university in France. She began her career as a professional dancer and worked with various choreographers and artists in Europe. In 2016, she initiated her own choreographic work and has, to date, several creations to her credit, such as What does not belong to us (2018), Don’t you see it coming (2021 – selection Petites Scènes Ouvertes), and Rouge est une couleur froide (2021). In 2023, she created Vénus Anatomique, inviting five women on stage to question representations of the female body. In 2022, she and Isaiah Wilson began co-directing several projects, including the duet Megastructure, winning multiple awards at RIDCC 2023, including the XL Production Award, which will lead to a new creation for Scapino Ballet Rotterdam in 2025 (GOATS). They also received four partner awards (Nederlands Dans Theater, Skånes Dansteater, Sally Dansgezelschap Maastricht, MAAS Theater En Dans). As Aerowaves Twenty24 artists, they will perform at the Spring Forward Festival.

www.sarahbaltzinger.eu
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user18950164
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahbaltzinger_

Organised by: Deputy Ministry of Culture (Department of Contemporary Culture) and Rialto Theatre.
Tickets: €8 (€30 for all performances)
Free entrance to students, soldiers, pensioners, PWD cardholders and dance professionals.