How does the “Visavì Experimental Contest” work?
The Visavì Experimental Contest is what we may call “a battle show”, an event where the board directly invites the guest dancers to perform and participate in the challenges. Dancers who have distinguished themselves in other contests and festivals and who are directly invited to participate and bring their personal perspective on dance. A duo challenges another duo, so it’s two dancers face to face with other two dancers. All dance styles are allowed, they confront each other and engage in a dialogue.
The artists perform accompanied by live music and improvisation is the fil rouge of the event and they follow the tasks and the key words decided by the jury: both the dancers and the musicians create art on the spot.
The jury evaluating the performances consists of three experts in the field, and by this we mean professional performers, choreographers, directors of dance companies, dance journalists. This composition of the group is designed in order to give different types of opportunities to the dancers: work proposals following this event are now a regular occurrence (work proposals not connected to the event itself, but thanks to the meeting).
Where did the idea come from and why?
The idea was born out of the very desire to be part of it. The idea came from a person who first and foremost was a dancer and still is. The desire to find and create an opportunity to show one’s own dance research, to share one’s visions, to meet new artists, to dance to live music and perhaps to receive some feedback on the hard work of this profession that requires so much obstinacy and constancy. So basically, it all came about thinking about what I would have liked to experience but was only able to see abroad.
When I introduced this contest, and Artisti Associati supported me in starting off this project, there were no “experimental” events in Italy, and I took inspiration from events abroad in which I had taken part and from which I took cues for some of the dynamics of the contest. Then I added some more, thinking about what I would like to do if it were me participating.
What is the role of the audience?
The audience has a fundamental role: to give their vote. While on the one hand we have the jury, made of “experts” in the field from a technical point of view, on the other hand we have the audience, experts in the field from an “empathetic” point of view. We all know that, luckily or not, technique is not enough, but we also need something else, something which can’t be evaluated with a number from 1 to 10 but which “gets” to the viewer from a very personal point of view.
For this reason, during the final challenge, the audience is asked to share their preference. A majority will be calculated, and the opinion of the audience will be added to the one of the judges to find the winner.
The most beautiful thing of this experience:
There are many, the best thing is the new acquaintances that one makes during the contest, whereas maybe the most beautiful moment is when all the dancers are together on stage, ready to perform and in the background the musicians start warming up their instruments, a moment charged with energy.
Tell us as if you should explain it to a child: why have you started dancing?
Because I liked it, time flied and when I was done, I was so happily tired!
According to your personal experience, a border is:
The beginning.
