Enjoy discomfort

Context to the work of Julian Hetzel and his artistic contribution for Etcetera

Unsettling, disturbing, unnerving – sometimes to the point of embarrassment – discomfort is not something that we normally enjoy, as it dislodges the status quo on a minor or a larger scale, creates doubt and uncertainty and undermines what is otherwise widely accepted and regularly reaffirmed. Discomfort makes us increasingly and acutely aware of a situation and pushes us to resolve it as soon as possible. Be it physical, intellectual, sensorial or of any other kind, discomfort is temporary, but at the same time highly productive, raising awareness of boundaries and limits that we might eventually venture to transcend or at least challenge.

Katalin Erdödi

calendar 15.09.2015

Thinking-Scenography / Shifting Layers of (Dis)believe

In September 2014, Platform-Scenography (P-S) organized the two-day ‘exposium’ Thinking-Scenography | Shifting layers of (Dis)believe, in Utrecht and Rotterdam.

Platform-Scenography is both an analogue and a digital platform that aims to increase the visibility of scenography (in the broadest sense of the word) and the profession of the scenographer. P-S generates and facilitates various activities that stimulate the exchange and reflection on scenographic practices and spatial design, and is open to any initiative related to this field. Currently P-S’s artistic leaders are Sigrid Merx and Anne-Karin ten Bosch, with an editorial staff comprising Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink, Trudi Maan, Henny Dörr and Nienke Scholts. This year P-S is responsible for the Dutch national contribution to PQ 2015 In Between Realities – a quadrennial world exhibition of Performance Design and Space in Prague.

Sébastien Hendrickx

article 04.05.2015

I’m not here says the void – Julian Hetzel

I’m not here, says the void by the German director Julian Hetzel plays with the Void in her late capitalistic, perverse form. The leading roles are for an IKEA sofa, grey plastic bags and overalls made of recycled fibres. The actors, Hetzel and Michele Rizzo, are empty shells waiting in vain for the divine breath that will save them from this deadly boredom.

Pieter T’Jonck

review 04.03.2015

Jan Steen on présence, charisma and aura

‘I AM LOOKING FOR A KIND OF ANIMAL STATE OF BEING’

As a drama tutor at KASK, Jan Steen has developed a specific training course for actors, of which présence, charisma and aura are key components. Jan Steen also discusses the concept of exceptional stage presence in his doctoral research, which recently led to a striking performance of Sarah Kane’s Psychosis 4:48, as well as to the publication of the book Being in Playing.

Kurt Vanhoutte, Visual Poetics

interview 26.02.2015

David Zambrano on improvisation and the power of different cultures

‘I SOMETIMES FEEL JUST LIKE OPRAH WINFREY’

David Zambrano is known as a gifted improviser. His Flying Low technique, an extremely rapid way of moving which demands great strength and expressiveness, has heavily influenced the vocabulary of contemporary dance. A beguiling performer and dance guru, Zambrano is highly prized by the international dance community, yet outside it he is a complete unknown. Who is this Venezuelan dancer, choreographer and tutor who has had an immeasurable influence on the development of contemporary dance, and who tirelessly continues to inspire new generations of dancers?

Lene Van Langenhove

interview 09.01.2015

Bâtard Reader

Etcetera wants to give particular attention to young artitsts. So does Bâtard, the festival held every year in December in Brussels. For the he 2014 edition – held under the slogan “Stretching the moment” – the organizers of the festival compiled a reader of texts. As a lot of the themes connect to Etcetera’s interest, we like to share the reader here.

Pamina de Coulon, Dries Douibi, Tom Engels, Michiel Vandevelde

article 26.12.2014

Ass talk and clubbing vibes

Nomadic identities in contemporary dance

It is becoming increasingly easy to cross borders, both geographically and culturally. In the big cities various cultures, traditions and fantasies are contaminating each other with the resulting clash continuously creating new hypes, trends and self-images. This hybrid and flexible approach to identity in urban culture has inspired choreographers such as Ula Sickle, Trajal Harrell, Cecilia Bengolea and François Chaignaud.

Charlotte De Somviele

essay 05.11.2014