modul-dance

an artist’s-eye view

POZNAŃ

Modul-dance is a multi-annual cooperation project with the participation of 20 European dancehouses from 16 countries.

One of the project’s key elements is the promotion of mobility,

so that artists receiving its support follow itineraries across Europe to develop their creative work and present it

to different audiences.

Each of the guides in this collection shows a city from the viewpoint of a local artist, who proposes his or her own

particular route to artists in transit, seeking to put them in connection with their host city. While these city routes

share some basic features, each one is different and in their differences lies a wealth of gazes, aesthetics, approximations to the local and much more. In a word, they form a mirror of

the diversity that modul-dance has always fostered.

The Poznań city guide has been possible thanks to the curatorial work of Art Stations Foundation, a partner in the

modul-dance project.

modul-dance

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52° 24′ 0″ N, 16° 55′ 0″ E

Anna Nowicka presents Poznań to Cláudia Dias

Urszula Bernat-Jałocha presents Poznań to Lili M

Agata Maszkiewicz presents Poznań to May Zarhy & Ioannis Mandafounis

Dominika Knapik presents Poznań to An Kaler

Janusz Orlik presents Poznań to David Wampach

Agata Siniarska presents Poznań to Anne Juren

Weronika Pelczyńska presents Poznań to The Mob

Marysia Zimpel

Interview with Joanna Leśnierowska by Andreea Căpitănescu

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Anna Nowicka

Anna Nowicka graduated from SEAD experimental academy of dance in Salzburg, the Ernst Busch/HZT in Berlin and the psychology department at Warsaw University. Her artistic research focuses on the relationship between dream and the dancing body, with special interest in the choreography of the imagination. As part of her work, Anna explores different perspectives of the gaze and the possibility of using different points of view as a tool to reveal still invisible, yet present images. She views choreography as a continuous study of the relationship and the tension between the creative process and its outcome (understood also as a by-product of research). Her creative background began with a meeting with Anna Godowska and them long-term cooperation with Slovenian choreographer Mala Kline. Since 2010, her individual choreographic practice has been connected to the Art Stations Foundation in Poznań (with participation in the Solo Projekt Camp). Anna has received many awards and scholarships: her performance Fire is raging in your hair was the winner in the 100 GRAD Festival at HAU in Berlin (2012), and the solo The truth is just a plain picture, said bob was presented during the Polish Dance Platform of 2012. Currently Anna is studying at The School of Images under the direction of Dr Catherine Shainberg and she lives between Berlin and Poland.

vimeo.com/annanowicka

Anna Nowicka presents Poznań to Cláudia Dias06

07

Cláudia Dias

Born in Lisbon in 1972, Cláudia Dias began her dance training at the Academia Almadense, followed by a scholarship from the Companhia de Dança de Lisboa (The Lisbon Dance Company). Later on, she attended a contemporary dance performer course at Forum Dança and a cultural organisations and project management course at Cultideias. Cláudia is currently completing an MA in Arts of the Stage at the New University of Lisbon. As a performer, she began in the Almada Dance Group and then moved on to the Ninho de Víboras collective. As a Re.Al. associate artist she became a central participant in João Fiadeiro’s creative work strategy and in the development, systematization and outreach aspects of the Composition in Real Time Technique. Cláudia has created the pieces One Woman Show, Visita Guiada, Das coisas nascem coisas, Vontade de ter Vontade and Not everything we do has to be said, not everything we say has to be done. Her work as a choreographer, performer and teacher has been nurtured by several production structures, theatres and festivals in Portugal and abroad. Cláudia was selected for the modul-dance project in 2010 to develop Vontade de ter Vontade.

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A strange/peculiar placeWilda district by night

01

district

04A hidden secretThe goats that appear just before the town hall clock strikes noonStary Rynek 1

secretDone!

park

02My personal favouritesPark Cytadela – vast spaces, lush green park and rows of headless statues called abakany – permanent exhibition Nierozpoznani (unrecognised) by Magdalena AbakanowiczThe park is surrounded by Szelągowska and Armii Poznań streets

Done!

Done!

A restaurant with no starsBar Mleczny Apetyt, the oldest milk bar in town, just by the Old Market SquareSzkolna 4

03

restaurant Done!

05

vodka

A shot of vodka with a strangerOnly in Meskalina, the best shot is called a “mad dog” – Polish spicy sweet inventionStary Rynek 6

Done!

09

07A non-studio dance venueJezioro Maltańskie (Malta Lake)Baraniaka

lakeDone!

08

09A must-have souvenirA traditional Polish scarf with colourful flowers blooming on it. To be bought in one of old style handcraft stores called CepeliaKlasztorna 21

A market: flea, fruit, veggie?There is a great market just around the corner from Plac Wolnosci (Freedom Square). All fresh! Veggies and fruits, bakeries with bread and pastries, super friendly people to talk to! Ask anyone for Rynek Wielkopolski!

souvenir

market

Done!

Done!

A place to chillNooNah – the best second hand vintage store ever, just get the guys to help you out with the outfitsGarbary 71

06

chill-outDone!

10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedThe old town at night

old town

11A remote area worth going toLas Sucholeski, a nature reserve, amazingThe best way to get there is by the fast tram lines 12, 14, 15, 16, 19 and 20 until the last stop at Sobieskiego estate and walk in the direction of Morasko Campus

find me Done!

12A place where you can find meSłodownia +3, Art Stations FoundationPółwiejska 42

natureDone!

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationAcrobatics – flying high on trampolinesJarochowskiego 62

relaxDone! 14 A local flavour

Rogal Świętomarciński – poppy seed in a sweet croissant-style pastry… amazing!

local flavourDone!

10

15 The best potatoesThick and fried… In Klub Dragon of course!Zamkowa 3

potatoesDone!

local flavour11

16

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Something a bit artsy? The Old Brewery, a peculiar, disturbing mixture of a shopping mall with luxurious shops and artPółwiejska 42

Do not try this/do not go there A lush chocolate drinking place on the way to Klub Dragon: they exploit their workers

artsy

avoid

Done!

17 The nightlife Meskalina – all roads and parties end up thereStary Rynek 6

nightlife Done!

Done!

19 Place your finger on the map!I’ll choose another forest! Las DębińskiPiastowska

forest Done!

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/JKbv9

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Urszula Bernat-Jałocha

Urszula Bernat-Jałocha began her dance education at the Polish National Ballet School in Warsaw. After graduating in 2002 she joined the Opera in Szczecin where she danced for four seasons. Subsequently, from 2006 to 2008 she was a dancer in the Grand Theatre in Poznań. In 2007 she graduated from the Academy of Music in Warsaw where she received a Master’s Degree in Ballet Pedagogy. In 2008-2009 she continued her education in the Scottish School of Contemporary Dance and after graduating she took part in the summer apprenticeship programme with the Scottish Dance Theatre. During her studies in Scotland she worked with Janis Claxton, Thomas Small and Victoria Fox. In 2009, she joined the Polish Dance Theatre where she worked with acclaimed Polish and international choreographers such as Jacek Przybyłowicz, Ewa Wycichowska, Paulina Wycichowska, Paweł Matyasik, Andrzej Adamczak, Karolina Wyrwał, Ohad Naharin and most recently Jo Strømgren. Urszula has been performing on many international tours including Germany, United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Norway. In 2014 she created her own piece Nondescript, which premiere was during the Polish Dance Theatre’s 7th Atelier Festival. She also regularly gives contemporary dance classes.

taniecpolska.pl/ludzie/299

Urszula Bernat-Jałocha presents Poznań to Lili M

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Lili M

Lili Mihajlović Rampre comes from Slovenia, where she took a BSc in Physics. With a wide range of her interests including radio journalism, literary engagements and years of competitive fencing, she decided to pursue her greatest passion – dance. Lili has held a Nomad Dance Academy scholarship and was selected for a residency at ReRc (Centre Choreographique National de Montpellier) as part of the WILD CARD programme, supported by Jardin d’Europe. She has also won first prize in the Slovenian national competition for young dance creators. In 2012 she completed a MACode (master study program in contemporary dance education) at the Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt, Germany. Mainly focusing on her own work, she has until now been supported by Mousonturm Theater as a part of their programme for emerging artists, and by ID Frankfurt (PET 5 – But it’s not about chairs, 2010 in Mousonturm; Body happens together, 2011 in Frankfurt LAB). In 2013 she became a modul-dance resident artist. Her recent engagements include collaboration with film maker Anatoli Nat Skatchkov on a short documentary (a project supported by an artistic research grant Lili was awarded by the Hessische Theaterakademie in Frankfurt), the continuation of the modul-dance initiated project As we begin, so shall we go, and performances in pieces by Marina Abramovic.

lili-m-rampre.tumblr.com

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A strange/peculiar placeDark RestaurantGarbary 48

01

eat

04 A hidden secretThe trail from Malta Lake to the new zooKrańcowa (real end of street)

secretDone!

05vodka

A shot of vodka with a strangerPijalnia Wódki i PiwaWrocławska 8

Done!

coffee shop

02My personal favouritesThe little coffee shop on Garbary street – a place with only two tables, but with fantastic coffee and very interesting peopleGarbary 53

Done!

Done!

A restaurant with no starsDa Luigi – traditional Italian pizzeria and super nice ownersWoźna 1

03

restaurantDone!

15

A hidden secretThe trail from Malta Lake to the new zooKrańcowa (real end of street)

07A non-studio dance venueClub LabGrochowe Łąki 5

clubDone! 08

A must-have souvenirFigures of Poznań goats – to be found everywhere around the old town

souvenir

A place to chill Park SołackiThe park is surrounded by Nad Wierzbakiem and Litewska streets

06

chill-outDone!

coffee shop

09A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Fresh fruits, herbs and vegetablesRynek Wielkopolski

marketDone! 10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedTermy Maltańskie – the most modern and largest water sports and recreational complex in PolandTermalna 1

sport

Done!

11A remote area worth going toOstrów Tumski – an island between two streams of the Warta river

find me Done!

12A place where you can find meThe Polish Dance TheatreKozia 4

islandDone!

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationThai-Land massageDługa 14

relax Done!

14 A local flavourRogale Świętomarcińskie – a local croissant filled with marzipan and poppy seed. You can buy it all year round in the best bakeries and patisseries around town

local flavourDone!

15 The best potatoesPyra BarStrzelecka 13

potatoesDone!

16

17

16

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Something a bit artsy? Klub DragonZamkowa 3

Do not try this/do not go there Do not try this: a shot of kamikaze

Do not go there: Wrocławska street at night

artsy

avoid

Done!

17The nightlife The Old Market square and surroundings

nightlife Done!

Done!

19 Place your finger on the map!Jezioro Rusałka – a bit distant but a very beautiful place To get there take a tram to Park Sołacki and ask for further directions – locals will surely guide you!

lake Done!

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/xoj52

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Agata Maszkiewicz presents Poznań to May Zarhy & Ioannis Mandafounis

Agata Maszkiewicz

Agata Maszkiewicz is a choreographer, performer and dancer. In her work she uses different forms for creating dance and theatre performances, videos, installations and texts where choreography is used as the main drama tool. She is keen on tracing various social patterns and transforming them on stage in a humorous, poetic way. The Austrian critic Helmut Ploebst called her a sociocritical choreographer. In October 2009 she graduated from the Institute of Dance Arts at the Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität in Linz, Austria (Master of Arts MA). She was a successful applicant in the danceWEB 2006 scholarship programme and from January to June 2007 she continued her education at the Centre Choreoghraphique National (CCN) in Montpellier as a participant of the ex.e.r.ce program (under the guidance of Xavier Le Roy). She works, among others, with the collective Superamas (You dream, BIG3 happy/end, Casino); with Ivana Müller (60 minutes of opportunism) and has created her own works (the installation snowflakes or the solo Polska). She collaborated with Anne Juren, Marianne Baillot and Alix Eynaudi on the piece Komposition. Together with Alix Eynaudi she created a video performance The Visitants and subsequently the piece Long long short long short. Her most recent production Don Kiewicz & Sancho Waniec premiered in December 2011 in Brut Theatre, Vienna. In 2012 she was selected by the modul-dance project to develop the piece Duel.

taniecpolska.pl/ludzie/257

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May Zarhy

Born in Israel in 1984, May Zarhy created her first piece for the National Choreography Biennale Shades in Dance 2001 at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv, before moving to the Netherlands in 2002 to study at the Rotterdam Dance Academy. In 2005, she assisted William Forsythe in the creation of 3 Atmospheric Studies. Later, May participated on the ex.e.r.ce 2007 educational programme in Montpellier, France, directed by Mathilde Monnier and Xavier Le Roy. In 2009, together with Fabrice Mazliah and Ioannis Mandafounis, she formed the collaborative trio MAMAZA, creating together Z.E.R.O. (2009), Cover Up (2011), The Nikel Project – songs&poems (2012), and Pausing (2012) with Mandafounis, as well as the installations ASINGELINE (2011) and Garden State (2014), which have been co-produced and staged by numerous companies and festivals, such as the Kunstlerhaus Mousonturm Frankfurt, the Forsythe Company, Les Rencontres Chorégraphiques Internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis and PACT Zollverein Essen. Together with Mazliah and Mandafounis, she was an associate artist with deSingel Antwerp in 2011-2012, and resident artist with Mousonturm Frankfurt in 2012-2014, thanks to the support of the Doppel Pass programme organised by the Bundes Kultur Stiftung in Germany. In 2014 she created the work 1325 with Kathryn Enright. Furthermore, May teaches movement workshops and theory seminars, and assists other artists. In 2011 she and Ioannis Mandafounis were selected for the modul-dance project to develop the piece Pausing.

Ioannis Mandafounis

Born in Athens in 1981, Ioannis Mandafounis studied dance at the National School of Athens and at the Conservatoire de Paris. Before becoming a freelance choreographer, he worked for the Gothenburg Opera Ballet and the Nederlands Dans Theater II and joined the Forsythe Company in 2005. In 2004 he formed the Lemurius Company in Athens together with Katerina Skiada and Anastasis Gouliaris. Together they created the pieces Provalondas tin Skia, Anthropines diastasis, Crosstalk and Yperparagogi, which have been presented at national and international festivals. In 2006 he was commissioned to create a new version of L’après-midi d’un faune for the Greek National Opera. He went on to create P.A.D. (2007), commissioned by the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, and the group work HUE, produced by the Forsythe Company at the Bockenheimer depot in Frankfurt. In 2009, together with Fabrice Mazliah and May Zarhy, he formed the collaborative trio MAMAZA and they created Z.E.R.O. and Cover Up together. During the 2011-2013 period Ioannis was an associated artist for a total of one year with DeSingel in Antwerp, where he stages most of his works, and he created the project Songs & Poems with the contemporary music ensemble Nikel. He has also been supported by RESO Swiss and the Bundes Kultur Schtiftung (Germany) within the framework of the Doppel Pass Programme and has been a resident artist at the Mousonturm Kunstlerhaus Frankfurt since 2012, finishing at the end of 2014. In 2014 Ioannis created the piece Twisted Pair and he is currently creating a new work with Elena Giannotti called ApersonA. He is supported by the Migros Cultural Percentage through the Prairie programme. In addition to his own choreographic work Ioannis teaches improvisation workshops using the ancient martial art Budo as an approach and choreographs works for other companies and schools. These include the Greek National Opera, Ballet Junior of Geneva, P.A.R.T.S. Brussels, Palucca Schule Dresden, Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt, CFC Geneva and La Manufacture Lausanne. In 2011 he was selected, together with May Zarhy, by the modul-dance project to develop the piece Pausing.

mamaza.net

21

22

A strange/peculiar placeA former swimming pool in a former synagogue. Unfortunately it is being renovated so I am not sure you can still go inside. Maybe if you ask, the janitor will give you a free tour?Wroniecka 11

01

swimming pool

04 A hidden secretA summer swimming pool Chwiałka open for swimming lovers before the crowd comes (Info entries for early birds: 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 a.m. Admission: 2 € for 45 min.). There is really nobody in the morning!Chwiałkowskiego 34

secret Done!

05vodka

A shot of vodka with a strangerKlubokawiarnia MeskalinaStary Rynek 61

Done!

shop

02 My personal favouritesThere is a very nice courtyard on Wielka 21, close to the main square. There is a nice music shop where you can buy worsted wool and some nice coffeesWielka 21

Done!

Done!

A restaurant with no starsJadalnia Grunwaldzka 182

Or if you are not a vegetarian there is a burger stand at the corner of Święty Marcin and Piekary

03

restaurantDone!

23

07 A non-studio dance venueFountain on Plac Wolności (Wolności Square) and, generally, the entire square

fountainDone! 08

A must-have souvenirVisit one of the many second hand shops and you will find a perfect souvenir just for you. One such place is NooNah, for exampleGarbary 71

souvenir

A place to chill Taczaka 20. Chill out with a cup of coffee and a cakeTaczaka 20

06

chill-outDone!

09A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Rynek Jeżycki

marketDone!

10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedVisit Okrąglak – the icon of Poznań modernism. Go inside and see the main staircase!Mielżyńskiego 17

architecture

Done!

11A remote area worth going toRogalin – a palace and a beautiful walk in grounds with some almost ancient oak treesTo get there take a bus from Dworzec Śródka (Śródka bus station). Bus station at Rondo Śródka

find me Done!

12 A place where you can find meArt Stations Foundation/Old BrewerySłodownia Studio +3 – Art Stations Foundation in the Old BreweryPółwiejska 42

palaceDone!

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationThe botanic gardenDąbrowskiego 156

relaxDone!

14A local flavourBar Mleczny Przysmak (a traditional Polish milk bar). Ask for pyry z gzikiem!Podgórna 2

local flavourDone!

15 The best potatoesRussian pierogi. They are dumplings with a potato stuffing. The best are homemade so maybe Mikołaj from the Art Stations Foundation could make them for you. I heard he is a great cook :)

potatoes Done!

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25

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Something a bit artsy? Konteneryul. Ewangelicka

Do not try this / do not go there Pierniki Torunskie (Toruń gingerbread). It is a speciality from Torun, not PoznańThere is a shop on Połwiejska street 1

artsy

avoid

Done!

17 The nightlife Klub DragonZamkowa 3

nightlife Done!

Done!

19 Place your finger on the map!Śródka, a district of PoznańRynek Śródecki

districtDone!

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/sNNeI

local flavour

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Dominika Knapik

Dancer, actress and choreographer, Dominika Knapik is a graduate of the Ludwik Solski State Drama School in Cracow (PWST), co-founder of Harakiri Farmers and vice-president of the Association for Humanistic Initiatives in Arts Sztruks. In 2007 she was a DanceWEB Scholarship holder and created her debut solo performance how do you like me? at the Art Stations Foundation in Poznań (Solo Projekt 2007). She has collaborated as a dancer with the Gymnastics Association and with Dada von Bzdulow. In 2008, together with Wojciech Klimczyk, she founded the Harakiri Farmers (HAFA) artistic collective. Their ironic, intellectual performances are marked by a discursive, interdisciplinary approach to dance. In 2011 she directed, choreographed and performed in Optimist’s Testament at the Laznia Nowa Theater in Krakow. The same year she created a choreography for and performed in Not I, directed by Iga Ganczarczyk and received a scholarship from the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, with which HAFA was able to create Moscow. HAFA has also created Sisters, Stille and Dzoe. Their latest show, I wanna be someone great, was premiered in 2014. She collaborates regularly as a choreographer with drama theatres in Poland. In 2012 she organised and curated a mini-festival New dance in old Krakow, and that same year she started to cooperate (together with Wojtek Klimczyk) as dance curator for Krakow Theatrical Reminiscences. She has worked as a teacher at the Ludwik Solski State Drama School in Krakow (PWST) since 2012.

harakirifarmers.comsztruks.org

Dominika Knapik presents Poznań to An Kaler

27

An Kaler

An Kaler studied Transmedia Art at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna. An’s artistic practice combines dance, performance and visual art. In 2010 An graduated from the BA Pilotprogramm Contemporary Dance, Context, Choreography at the Inter-University Center for Dance, the University of the Arts, Berlin. In 2010 An presented the solo-performance Save a horse ride a cowboy at Tanztage Berlin and Imagetanz at brut Wien. In the frame of a long-term creative and physical practice named Insignificant Others An Kaler developed Untitled Stills in exchange with different artists in 2010 and (learning to look sideways) in 2011/12, which premiered at the Tanzquartier Vienna in December 2011 and was presented in 2012 at Tanztage in the Sophiensaele Berlin, Rencontres Chorégraphiques Internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis, ImPulsTanz Vienna and Tanznacht Berlin. In 2012 An received a scholarship from the Contemporary Arts Alliance Berlin and was selected by the modul-dance project to develop the piece On Orientations / Untimely Encounters. As a performer An Kaler has worked alongside Philipp Gehmacher, Isabelle Schad and Laurent Chétouane.

ankaler.org

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A strange/peculiar placeA synagogue that has been turned into a swimming poolWroniecka 11

01

swimming pool

04 A hidden secretVery good hairdresser in a horrible place – Sławek Stawarczyk in Pasaż RóżowyŚwięty Marcin 47

secretDone!

05vodka

A shot of vodka with a strangerKlub DragonZamkowa 3

Done!

coffee02 My personal favourites

Zielona WerandaPaderewskiego 7

Done!

Done!

A restaurant with no starsManekinKwiatowa 3

03

restaurantDone!

restaurant

29

07A non-studio dance venuePark Cytadela – plenty of space for a morning warm up

park Done! 08A must-have souvenirDefinitely Rogal Świętomarciński :)

souvenir

A place to chill WOSK: a nice chill-out party place a bit off the beaten track. Open only on weekends, it serves local liquor and has the best music in town. A good place to hang out, especially during the summer timeGarncarska 4

Also, there is a really nice Thai massage parlour on Długa 14 street – a different way of chilling out after a long day’s workDługa 14

06

09A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Priscilla Gallery – a very interesting vintage shopGarbary 63/5

market Done!

10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedThe old town in general :)

old town

Done!

chill-outDone!

11A remote area worth going toOD:ZYSK, a place in the middle of the old town which seems remote to many. It is one of Poznań’s two squats offering cultural and social activities. Definitely a must go venue!Paderewskiego 1odzysk.org

12A place where you can find meIt depends on what time you come, but I guess at Stary Browar (Art Stations Foundation / Studio Słodownia +3) or Centrum Kultury Zamek

remoteDone!

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationMalta Lake Baraniaka

relax Done!

14A local flavourRogal Świętomarciński – can be found in some bakeries in the city. On 11 November, everyone in Poznań eats tons of them :)

local flavourDone!

15The best potatoesPyra BarStrzelecka 13

potatoes Done!

find me Done!

30

3116

18

Something a bit artsy? How about Bookarest, a bookstore in Stary Browar?Półwiejska 42. Stary Browar Atrium. Level 0

Do not try this/do not go there Shops with cheap shoes on Półwiejska street

artsy

avoid

Done!

17The nightlife Klubokawiarnia Meskal (now called Mamałyga)Nowowiejskiego 17

nightlife Done!

Done!

19 Place your finger on the map!Jeżyce! An old district of the city, well described in Małgorzata Musierowicz’s booksen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeżycjada

distrit Done!

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/B1UAx

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Janusz Orlik

After graduating from the Ballet School in Warsaw Janusz Orlik became a student of Brucknerkonservatorium Linz (Austria) where he danced with the x.IDA ensemble. Since 2002 he has been a regular member of Vicent Dance Theaetre (United Kingdom). His own works include Exérèse monobloc (2004), and Thy neighbour as thyself (2006), Live on stage (2008), The Rite of Spring (2011) and Insight (2013). He also collaborated and performed in works created by Towarzystwo Gimnastyczne (Poland), Nigel Charnock + Company (United Kingdom), Kwaad Bloed vzw/Ugo Dehaes (Belgium), Joanna Leśnierowska (Poland), Gary Clarke (United Kingdom), Daniel Landau (Ireland), Sjoer Vreugdenhill (The Netherlands), Rosalind Crisp (Australia/France) and Isabelle Schad (Germany).

januszorlik.com

Janusz Orlik presents Poznań to David Wampach

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David Wampach

David Wampach started out studying medicine at the Faculty of Montpellier. He quickly became interested in live performances. He participated in multiple dance groups: The Company Coline in Istres, France (1999), Ex.e.r.ce (2000) at the National Choreographic Center of Montpelier, directed by Mathilde Monnier, and then the P.A.R.T.S school of Brussels with Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker (2001). He also participated on the choreographic culture training course taught by Laurence Louppe, from 2004 to 2006, while working on his own shows. In 2001, using an approach borrowing from theatre and the plastic arts and developed along the way, he formed the company Achles Association. His works include D ES R A, co-written with Pierre Mourles; CIRCONSIS; BASCULE, a radical and hypnotic trio to the rhythm of metronomic music; QUATORZE; AUTO, a duet with the pianist Aurélien Richard; BATTERIE; BATTEMENT, a variation on the “grand battement”, the emblematic ballet movement, CASSETTE, a Latino version of Nutcracker and TOUR. In 2010 he was selected by the modul-dance project to develop SACRE, a reading of The Rite of Spring which has been continued with the short film RITE. David Wampach collaborates regularly with artists from different horizons as the director, Guillaume Vincent, the writer Jerome Game, and the gypsy group, Rumba is Compas.

davidwampach.eu

34

A strange/peculiar placePoznań city centre – the main railway station of the city. Once you are there you understand why it seems a strange and peculiar place. And if in doubt, just ask any local about it...Dworcowa 1

01

station

04A hidden secretThe graves of the first duke and king of Poland are in Poznań cathedral. Something many guides do not mention. Walking around the cathedral island gives you flashbacks of the old timesOstrów Tumski 17

secretDone!

green areas

02My personal favouritesI really appreciate Poznań’s city parks and green areas, especially Park Sołacki surrounded by the old villa neighbourhood with a tiny river and ponds with many ducks and swans; built in 1911 it is one of the oldest parks in the citySurrounded by Nad Wierzbakiem and Litewska streets

Done!

Done!

A restaurant with no starsBar-a-boo – the best pizza in the city!Taczaka 11/2

Święta krowa – delicious SlowFood burgersKwiatowa 1

Pracownia – fusion cuisine and a nice summer gardenWoźna 17

03

restaurantDone!

05

vodka

A shot of vodka with a strangerThere are two very popular places for locals to hang out in, both located in the old town:Klubokawiarnia MeskalinaStary Rynek 6

… and Klub DragonZamkowa 3

Done!

35

07A non-studio dance venueHaH Art & Music Club – is one of the largest music clubs in Poznań. Mostly for the LGBT community it welcomes everyone who likes good parties. It has three dance floors with music varying from pop to dance/house, karaoke and well-stocked barsMałe Garbary 6

08A must-have souvenirA peacock feather and anything to do with amber. For amber browse around the jewellery stores. The best places to shop for typical souvenirs are stalls at the Old Market Square Stary Rynek

... and Salon Posnania – city information centre Ratajczaka 44

souvenir

A place to chill Park Cytadela – a huge green area in the city centreThe park is surrounded by Szelągowska and Armii Poznań streets

06

Done!

chill-out Done!

club Done!

11 A remote area worth going toNowe Zoo – a huge area full of animals around old forts of Poznań just behind Lake Maltaul. Krańcowa 81

Kórnik – a town 22 km from the city centre of Poznań. Beautiful Kórnik castle, lake, arboretum and ice creams in the main square. To get there take a bus from Dworzec Śródka (Śródka bus station). Bus station at Rondo Śródka

remoteDone!

09A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Plac Wielkopolski (fresh vegetables and herbs as well as many stalls with everyday objects) and Rynek Jeżycki (fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers and old style stalls with peculiarities)

market Done!

10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedA young male magician who performs his tricks around the city, hoping to get gather small change to perfect his craft. He may enter any bar in the city, approach your table and ask you if you want to see some magic. I know many people who have been in awe and left speechless with a big smile on their faces after his performance. He is very genuine and the only person you could give money to

magic

36

12A place where you can find meSłodownia Studio +3 – Art Stations Foundation in the Old BreweryPółwiejska 42

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationAll the smaller parks close to the Old Brewery area:

Park MarcinkowskiegoAleja Niepodległości / Towarowa

Park ChopinaPodgórna / Wroclawska

Zielone Ogródki (a nice fountain in the summer time)Strzelecka / Długa

Park Dąbrowskiego (next to the Old Brewery)Półwiejska 42

Park Moniuszki (a great view of the Opera and the most beautiful fountain in town)Aleje Niepodległości / Fredry

relaxDone!

find meDone!

magic

14A local flavourAs for any typical Poznań region product made from potatoes, as well as biała kiełbasa (white sausage) and Rogal Świętomarciński (a crescent roll with filling made of white poppy seeds, dried fruit and nuts). But if you want to try some typical Polish food/dishes check out kabanosy (thin dried sausage), barszcz (hot beetroot soup), chłodnik litewski (cold beetroot soup), tatar (minced raw beef), kaszanka (black sausage), pierogi (dumplings – savoury and sweet), pierogi leniwe (made with cottage cheese with sour cream, sugar and breadcrumbs), rożki (macaroons with butter cream, covered in chocolate), szarlotka (apple pie), sernik (cheese cake), surówki (a variety of raw vegetable salads) and a variety of sour cabbage dishes

local flavour

Done!

37

15The best potatoesPyry z gzikiem (potatoes/baked potatoes with cottage cheese and chives or onion), kopytka (potato dumplings), plendze (thin hash browns) best with sour cream and sugar. You can find them in a lot of restaurants and bars around the city but there is a special place that serves mainly dishes made with potatoes: Pyra BarStrzelecka 13

16 Something a bit artsy? Kontener Art is a seasonal residency space, club and concert venue located by the banks of Warta Riverul. Ewangelicka

17The nightlife There are plenty of places to hang out around the old town of the city:

Brovaria Hotel & Restaurant (several types of beer are being brewed at the location)Stary Rynek 73/74

As well as those already mentioned: Klubokawiarnia Meskalina, Klub Dragon or Kontener Art in the summer

nightlife

potatoesDone!

artsyDone!

Done!

38

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/91pG3

18 Do not try this/do not go there Do not get too drunk (better to be safe than sorry). Poznań is like most European cities, there are no specific areas that are more dangerous although one should avoid dark places and always be aware

19Place your finger on the map!Jezioro Maltańskie (Malta Lake) – an artificial lake with plenty of sports facilities including a ski slope operating all year roundBaraniaka

avoidDone!

Done! lake39

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Agata Siniarska

Agata Siniarska is a fictional character with many talents and a criminal past, consciously appearing in a series of episodes inside the choreographic frame. Having tried out different theatrical formats and having studied choreography at Berlin’s HTZ, she currently devises feminist fun studies and cultivates her need for language and writing, cinema and animation within the sphere of her feminist practices. Addicted to fiction, she conducts her research on life/death inside the image and life/death outside the frame, fashioning herself as a tool of visual rhetoric through the cultural structures inscribed in her. She approaches every image she creates with passion and intense fascination, fuelled by the energy of profound theoretical hesitancy, acting many times not alone but in the midst of many exquisite adventures.

cargocollective.com/agatasiniarska

Agata Siniarska presents Poznań to Anne Juren

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Anne Juren

Anne Juren is a choreographer and dancer born in Grenoble, France, and based in Vienna. After her diploma in dance at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Danse in Lyon and her studies in French literature, she finished her apprenticeship at the Trisha Brown Company in New York. In 2001 she founded the Wiener Tanz- und Kunstbewegung association in Vienna and created several choreographies like the solo A? (2003), J’aime (2004) in collaboration with Alice Chauchat, the solo Code Series (2005), Look Look (2007) in collaboration with Kroot Juurak, and Komposition (2008) in collaboration with Marianne Baillot, Agata Maszkiewicz and Alix Eynaudi. In 2008 she was also an artist in residence at Tanzquartier Wien and took part in two European artistic programs, IDEE and APAP, in which she developed a series of works called Patterns of Sport and Dance. She worked as a choreographer for the Burgtheater and co-curator for the festival Quick Change at the Tanzquartier in Vienna. After that she presented Pièce Sans Paroles with DD Dorvillier and Annie Dorsen, a Tenessee William’s play performed without words. In 2010 premiered her piece Magical at the ImPulsTanz Festival and was selected by the modul-dance project to develop Tableaux Vivants.

wienertanzundkunstbewegung.at

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42

A strange/peculiar placeThe Poznań Palm HouseMatejki 18

01palm house

04A hidden secretPhoto VB 43.019 by Vanessa Beecroft on the ground floor of the Blow Up Hall hotelKościuszki 42

secretDone!

05A shot of vodka with a strangerI really don’t know but if you fancy a coffee… latte macchiato with a stranger at Taczaka 20Taczaka 20

vintage shop

02My personal favouritesPortobello second hand vintage shopPółwiejska 28

Done!

Done!

A restaurant with no starsManekin Pancake Bar – no star but with tasty, cheap foodKwiatowa 3

03

restaurantDone!

coffe Done!

43

07A non-studio dance venueThe fountain in front of the Teatr Wielki Opera Poznańska (Poznań Opera)Fredry 9

fountainDone!

08A must-have souvenirA photo of Poznań goats taken at 12:00 a.m. in the Old Market – there is entire legend about them. Ask a local to tell you the storyStary Rynek 1

A place to chill Cicha KunaŚwięty Marcin 30/8-9

06

09A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Rynek Jeżycki

marketDone!

10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedA haircut in Salon MagiaŻydowska 30

haircut

chill-outDone!

souvenirDone!

11A remote area worth going toWytwórnia Lodów Tradycyjnych (traditional ice cream manufacturer)Kościelna 52

12A place where you can find meBookarest bookstore; even though it has moved and is still too expensive, I cannot resistPółwiejska 42. Stary Browar Atrium. Level 0

ice creamDone!

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationKino MuzaŚwięty Marcin 30

14A local flavourRogale Świętomarcińskie! The best croissants ever in Zagrodnicza bakery!Ratajczaka 27 or Królowej Jadwigi 60A

local flavourDone!

15 The best potatoesI do not like potatoes but the best sushi buffet is in Zindo – Japanese and Korean restaurantKramarska 15

find me Done!

relax Done!

potatoes Done!

44

16

18

Something a bit artsy? More than a bit: the Art Stations gallery Półwiejska 42

Do not try this/do not go there Galleria MM shopping mallŚwięty Marcin 24

artsy

avoid

Done!

17The nightlife Klub Dragon, as always Zamkowa 3

nightlife Done!

19 Place your finger on the map!Studio Słodownia +3 / Art Stations Foundation in the Old Brewery!Półwiejska 42

dance studio Done!

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/NSzpV

Done!

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Weronika Pelczyńska

Weronika Pelczyńska is a graduate of Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Austria and an engineer from Warsaw University of Technology. By profession, she is a dancer and choreographer. She has gained dance experience by working with several companies such as Bodhi Project, Mouvoir Company, Coccon Dance, Johannes Wieland Company, as well with individual choreographers like Jozef Frucek and Linda Kapetanea, Matej Kejzar, Marysia Stokłosa and Anna Nowicka. She choreographs for drama theatres and movies in Poland, working with such artists as Agnieszka Glinska, Barbara Sass-Zdort, Zuzanna Solakiewicz, Aneta Grzeszykowska, Krzysztof Skonieczny and many others. She is a co-author of Yvonne, Yvonne – a remix of Yvonne Rainer (produced by Komuna Warszawa in 2011), as well as the short piece inspiration fruit... in tribute to the music of Witold Lutosławski (produced by f.o.r.t.e foundation and Burdąg foundation in 2013). In 2013 she was a danceWEBer during ImpulsTanz under the mentorship of Ivo Dimchev and a participant of modul-dance through the Carte Blanche programme. She is the co-founder of CENTRUM W RUCHU, an association of choreographers and dancers, which is based in Warsaw, Poland.

taniecpolska.pl/ludzie/126

Weronika Pelczyńska presents Poznań to The Mob

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The Mob

The members of the Mob are choreographer and dancer Emma-Cecilia Ajanki and choreographer and sound artist Julia Giertz. Since 2009 they have created and toured black box performances, site-specific pieces as well as electro-pop concerts throughout Europe, New Zealand and the USA. The Mob mixes a physical dance practice with music and pop-surrealism with an aspiration to use choreography as a tool to manifest change and intensify our relation with the future. In 2012 The Mob was selected by the modul-dance project to develop Baby it’s you not me.

themobpleasure.com

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A strange/peculiar placeThe courtyard at the end of Kozia street – beautiful and strange architecture. After seeing this spot go to “Tylko u nas” bar and have the best pork chop (kotlet schabowy) in town. Have a small portion; believe me, even a small one is humongous! And it is only 10PLN – about 2,50 €!Kozia 12 and Szkolna 7

01

04 A hidden secretA vintage store called NooNah with interesting clothes. A nice couple who set the shop up run it and can help you out!Garbary 71 05 A shot of vodka with a

strangerEasy! Go to Meskalina or Klub Dragon, buy three vodkas and drink them with a strangerStary Rynek 6 and Zamkowa 3

Enjoy Poznań. If you happen to be in Warsaw don’t hesitate to contact me. It will be easier for me to show you around as I am based there

ice cream

02My personal favouritesWytwórnia Lodów Tradycyjnych (traditional ice cream manufacturer)Kościelna 52

Done!

A restaurant with no starsA restaurant where you can eat nice local food is called Republika Róż. One recent special offer is the picnic menu. The idea is that, together with your food, you receive a map with recommended places in local parks where you can eat itPlac Kolegiacki 2a

03strangeDone!

restaurantDone!

secretDone!

vodka Done!

ice cream

My personal favouritesWytwórnia Lodów Tradycyjnych (traditional ice cream manufacturer)Kościelna 52

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07A non-studio dance venueGo to WOSK!Garnacarska 4

club Done! 08A must-have souvenirA bottle of Polish liquor – for example Żubrówka (bison vodka) or Wisniówka (cherry cordial)

A place to chill The park next to Stary Browar (the Old Brewery) – sunbeds, prosecco and everything you need for the summer time!Półwiejska 42

06

09A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Breakfast markets in spring and on summer weekends. Often in different locations. Google “targ śniadaniowy Poznań” each time before going :)

10

Done!

A highlight not to be missedThe huge Park Cytadela, good for nice walk or bike ride!

bike ride

souvenirDone!

chill-outDone!

marketDone!

11A remote area worth going toŚródka – a new fashion/artistic district in Poznań that has become trendy nowadays. If you go there, you could drop by two neighbouring cafes: La Ruina (try their coffee and pastries) and Raj (with an old, out-of-order oven but a small working cinema; some interesting Asian food there as well)Rynek Śródecki

12A place where you can find meOne of the most interesting places to be, not only in Poznań but all Poland, is Stary Browar: half arts and half commercial. It is a huge shopping mall built on the ruins of an old brewery from the 19th century. However, what is more important is that it is the seat of the Art Stations Foundation and their well-known programme of contemporary dance and art. You cannot miss it. They show dance all year round, and organise workshops, performances and research programmesPółwiejska 42

13An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationVistaria SpaWiankowa 3

15The best potatoesPyra BarStrzelecka 13

relaxDone!

potatoes Done!

districtDone!

find me Done!

14A local flavourYou should visit Toga restaurant at Plac Wolności. You need to wait for your food but it is worth it. People say the following is a must eat: czarna polewka (blood soup; it sounds dreadful but it tastes fine!) in spring, asparagus in summer, mulled wine in winter and goose in the fall. A friend told me that once they ran out of desserts and prepared a fresh new cake especially for them in no time at all!Plac Wolności 13

local flavourDone!

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Something a bit artsy? Kolektyw 1aŚwięty Wojciech 1a

Do not try this/do not go there From time to time there are theme markets on the Old Market Square. Always crowded, often tacky with poor live music and smelly foodStary Rynek

17The nightlife In the city centre the nightlife is everywhere – just hang around the Old Market Square and surroundings on Friday night!Stary Rynek

19Place your finger on the map!The New Zoo!Krańcowa 81

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/eAyPp

local flavour

artsy Done!

nightlife Done!

avoid Done!

zoo Done!

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Marysia Zimpel presents Poznań

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Marysia Zimpel

Marysia Zimpel works in the fields of dance, choreography and performance. Her focus is on movement research where she explores the potential of shifts of perception and limits of physicality. For some time she has come to call herself an abstract expressionist, after Agnes Martin. She pursued Cultural Studies at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (Poland) and Dance, Choreography, Context at HZT, UdK in Berlin (Germany). Her work is influenced by somatic practices, release work as well as meeting with Australian choreographer Rosalind Crisp, among others. She received the DanceWeb Scholarship 2009 and is the creator of several works (including Working like a dog in 2011, What do you really miss? in 2013 and 2013, s c a t t e r in 2014 and noish~ in 2014 in cooperation with Gerard Lebik). She has also worked with Isabelle Schad, Deufert&Plischke, Rosalind Crisp, God’s Entertainment Collective, Alexandra Borys, Magdalena Chowaniec and Zeina Hanna, among others. She works mostly between Poznań, Berlin and Vienna.

taniecpolska.pl/ludzie/355

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A strange/peculiar placePomnik Armii Poznań, a place suggested by Kuba Hajzler, skateboard rider, “owner of the best style no comply trick (...)” performed also on the blades of the monumentBetween Kutrzeby and Księcia Józefa

Czarna Kula, “bowling, alcohol and liquor with soul”, a place suggested by Kuba Bąk – the author of Urban Traverse an old programme at the local student Afera Radio, and an incontrovertible expert of peculiarity in the urban and almost rural areas of PoznańPiastowska 40A

01

04 A shot of vodka with a strangerKisielice Taczaka, 20

02A restaurant with no starsImbis for taxi drivers U Róży on a sunny midday (you may also consider it a strange/peculiar place, but for some it is just an everyday pleasure or routine)Targowisko Bema, between Olimpijska and Dolna Wilda streets

Pergola wine houseMarcelińska, 43

The best hot chocolate and apple tart at Kwadrat – Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantWoźna 18A hidden secret

Would I share it?

03

Done!

vodka Done!

secret

strangeDone!

restaurantDone!

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06A non-studio dance venueAnywhere or on weekend evenings in WOSKGarncarska 4

07A must-have souvenirA postcard with goats, available from any post office

A place to chillTake a walk along Warta River

Cafe Palmiarnia (Palm House)Matejki 18

05

08A market: flea, fruit, veggie?Rynek Jeżycki

Or for the best beetroots go to Vita NaturaZeylanda 11

The biggest flea market in town is at Stara Rzeźnia (the old slaughterhouse)Garbary 101/111. Entrance from Północna street

09A highlight not to be missedSome of experimental music concerts at Rysy – Social ClubWoźna 2/3

A goat fight everyday at 12:00 a.m. at the Old Market Stary Rynek 1

souvenirDone!

chill-outDone! club

Done!

Done! don’t miss

marketDone!

10A remote area worth going toSzachty and Stara Cegielnia situated in Junikowski stream valley in the southern part of the cityGłogowska and Glinianki crossing 11

A place where you can find meJeżyce district

12An after studio leisure spot/temple of relaxationDuring spring and summer time, try a beer outside at Nastawnia PoC Pub/Cafe/RestaurantPark Wieniawskiego

On freezing cold winter evenings, chill and eat at a cosy place with few people at Ptasie RadioKościuszki 74

Rataje and Warta River for spring and early summer, especially beautiful just before sunsetBetween Królowej Jadwigi and Przemysła I bridges

13A local flavourBar Mleczny Kuchcik (traditional Polish milk bar)Św. Marcin 75

14The best potatoesCymes Restaurant – gzik z pyrami (potatoes with cottage cheese)Woźna 2

potatoesDone!

remoteDone! find me

Done!

local flavourDone!

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relaxDone!

15

17

Something a bit artsy? Squat OD:ZYSKPaderewskiego 1

Galeria PiekaryDziedziniec Różany Centrum Kultury Zamek, Św. Marcin 80-82

Do not try this/do not go there Sphinx restaurants and the Old Market Square during summer weekends, far too crowded

16 The nightlife Ask anyone from Old Brewey New Dance office at Art Stations Foundation – they know how to party!

18 Place your finger on the map!Simply explore!

Check out the Google maps version:goo.gl/maps/jt3Ad

nightlife Done!

avoidDone!

exploreDone!

A place where you can find meJeżyce district

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artsyDone!

Excerpts from the interview with Joanna Leśnierowska conducted by Andreea Căpitănescu, eXplore Dance Festival director and WASP – Working Art Space & Production curator. Interview first published on waspmagazine.com

Andreea Căpitănescu: How does daily consumerism meet contemporary dance and art in a former industrial space in Poznań? A shopping mall and contemporary art come together in a former industrial space. From a Western perspective (the border with Germany has its inevitable influence) it was a practical choice and a good business decision to create a new cultural space. From an Eastern perspective (which in my opinion tends to be too analytical and critical sometimes, triggered more by the sensitive part of the body, loosing sight of the future) it looks like a compromise. Tell us a bit about how the space was reconverted. Was it a 100% private initiative or did the state/city also support it?

Joanna Lesnierowska: Once upon a time, somewhere in a not too big city of some fairly big Eastern European country, there was a visionary business woman and art collector, Grazyna Kulczyk. At the end of the last century in the heart of the town she bought the ruins of the Hugger Brewery whose origins dated back to the year 1844 when Ambrosius Hugger – a brewer from Württemberg – arrived in Poznań (in those times under the German occupation, as was the whole of North-West Poland). Following Mrs Kulczyk’s passion for arts, from the outset the idea of restoring the historical complex of the former brewery included a vision for a place where, as we often like to say, life meets art, and led to the creation of the Art and Business Center, known as Stary Browar / the Old Brewery.

Parallel to the restoration of the original red brick buildings which are more than a hundred years old and with the reconstruction of already destroyed premises (that became a shopping mall/business part), the small gallery building has been designed to host a contemporary art exhibition directly connected and inspired by Mrs Kulczyk’s collection. At the same time, the best preserved part of the brewery – the multi-storey Słodownia building (Malthaus) – has been thought of as the main building of the art centre to be, with a top level turned into a performing studio – the first regular dance space in Poland, operating throughout the whole year and dedicated to promotion, presentation and support for the development of contemporary choreography.

We started to work in 2004, the year when the Art Stations Foundation by Grażyna Kulczyk was established to run the exhibiting and performing arts programme based in Stary Browar. The initiative is totally private and the foundation’s activities are possible only due to the genuine desire and support of Mrs Kulczyk.

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Even though the foundation operates as a regular NGO, and as such has all legal possibilities to apply for public money, our potential to secure a substantial budget is limited; therefore, the regular operation of the place cannot rely on it. And while the projects within the fine arts field seem natural due to the lifelong passion of the founder, support for avant-garde dance and choreography is pretty unique and, therefore, I believe even more meaningful, making it a patronage in the full sense of the word. Thus, it has afforded art, which had hitherto been very poorly supported and underdeveloped, exciting new opportunities to grow and break from isolation from international communities and local audiences - a chance to regularly follow the development of both international and Polish choreography.

AC: How do the Art Stations Foundation and Stary Browar work together? What is the connection between the two?

JL: Beside the fact that our activities are based in Stary Browar (and we rent spaces from the firm managing the complex) there is no other formal link. It is Grażyna Kulczyk, the owner, who brings together the two initiatives, but our activities – activities of a non-profit cultural foundation (even though at first sight set in a specific environment) – are totally independent. I’d call a connection to the shopping mall a friendly, sympathetic coexistence. And we sometimes use the Stary Browar’s public spaces for our outdoor activities as well.

AC: Within the Art Stations Foundation you curate and host the dance programme Old Brewery New Dance, including a festival, a residency programme, productions and presentations, alternative education programmes, the Polish Dance Platform, etc. A lot of activities which have developed a growing audience and brought back to Poland many Polish young artists who studied abroad in recent years. What is the “secret” behind it? Aside perhaps from the fact that it’s easy to live in Berlin and perform back home in Poland, at a one-hour distance...

JL: For years we have been experiencing in Poland an exodus of the most talented young artists. Due to the lack of higher education programmes in dance, they left the country for international schools and simply had no reason to come back. There was no (and actually there still is not) any serious chance for a regular professional dance life. The situation is slowly changing. You can now study dance in the country also, but there is still no substantial financial support for local artists (surprisingly, dance-wise, Poland seems a land obsessed with carnivals and festivals rather than daily dance and choreographic practice, but isn’t this more of a common disease everywhere?). No serious infrastructure for dance has been developed (considering the population of 40 million people and such a big territory, with quite a good understanding of performing

59

arts, we do not have any official national dance centre and the hundreds of theatres are not interested in presenting dance on their stage) and there is still no professional education for choreographers. Worse still, in the common understanding, choreography is not considered an art form and profession you should study, but rather a function within dance production and a natural step for a dancer in his life (or even a traditional way of retiring from a performing career).

What is more, due to political circumstances, as in other Eastern European countries, we faced years of isolation of the Polish community and dance scene from rest of Europe, so both Polish artists and audiences have not been exposed to the dynamic changes of the international scene, to various choreographic approaches and current trends, not to mention choreographic reflection and discourse. Obsessed for years with “dance theatre” (I have inserted the quotations marks deliberately to point out that its aesthetics did not have much in common with what we could associate with classical Tanztheater, but rather with some mix of hyper-emotionality and narrative quite common for Eastern Europe), Poland was not a place in which a graduate of an international school, especially with a choreographic profile, had much to do.

In this specific local landscape, it is novel to establish a place like our studio in Stary Browar, with its consequent artistic profile and interest in avant-garde choreography, the first regular dance venue and a platform for artistic dialogue, research, creation and choreographic reflection. Such an endeavour must have been somewhat shocking and, with its radical change, it must have brought hope for some long-awaited normality to the local community as well as to all those that left the country and would like to come back but did not feel they had a real chance or reason before now. To come back, even if not for good (although many really decide to do so and actively engage in the hard work of changing the Polish dance reality), then at least to be able to share their work with local audiences and find support for their research here. And let us not forget that the life of a young producer is not easy in all parts of the world, and every new opportunity is more than welcome.

Also, Poland has its own rich culture, language, sensitivity, incredible theatre tradition, great music and interesting visual arts field, and many artists are really eager to confront their own heritage and develop their art in this very particular context! However, the programme and formats I created were never designed for Polish graduates of foreign academies! A diploma does not automatically work as a passport to Stary Browar.

To be honest, having the chance to meet and also work with many young graduates of different schools, in my view, the value of academic academic dance (and choreographic) education is slightly overrated. I am generally interested in young dance

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artists who want to become choreographers and, alongside talent and some necessary willingness, are first of all: open-minded, ready to take artistic risks and dig deep in search of individual voice, open to dialogue and reflection (and self-reflection) on the art of making dance. For that, you do not necessarily need to possess a special license… From the outset I have also showed a concern for those promising Polish artists (not only youngsters) who never left and did not go through any formal education (the long list of our residents and scholarship holders really proves this).

I promote and support talent and hard work, and I believe (no matter how akin to a truism it sounds) that becoming a choreographer is a complex (and often lifelong) process… And it is this very process that interests me the most. And to discuss and create the best possible conditions for it – a professional, safe, but also constructively critical environment – I consciously devoted the performing programme of the Art Stations Foundation known as Old Brewery New Dance.

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COLLECTION

Athens (GR)

Barcelona (ES)

Bassano del Grappa (IT)

Dresden (DE)

London (GB)

Paris (FR)

Poznań (PL)

Stockholm (SE)

Toulouse (FR)

Vienna (AT)

MODUL-DANCE PROJECT MANAGEMENTMercat de les Flors

Lleida, 59 ES · 08004 Tel. + 34 932 562 600 modul-dance.eu

Coordination of the guide at Poznan: Mikołaj Maciejewski

Printed in 2014

MODUL-DANCE PARTNERSadc Genève CH (associated partner) - Art Stations Foundation Poznań PL - CDC Toulouse FR - CND Paris FR - Centro per la Scena Contemporanea Bassano del Grappa IT - Dance Gate Lefkosia Cyprus CY - Dance Ireland Dublin IE - Dansens Hus Stockholm SE - Dansehallerne Copenhagen DK - DeVIR/CAPa Faro PT - DDRC Athens GR - HELLERAU-Europäisches Zentrum der Künste Dresden DE - Kino Šiška Ljubljana SI - Maison de la Danse Lyon FR - Mercat de les Flors Barcelona ES - Plesna Izba Maribor SI - Danshuis Station Zuid Tilburg NL - Tanzhaus NRW Düsseldorf DE - Tanzquartier Wien AT - The Place London GB

Project leaderFrancesc Casadesús

Project assistantMara Maso

Project advisorUlrike Kuner

Communication managerSílvia González

Project managerAmélie Louys

modul-dancePoznań, an artist’s-eye view

This work programme has been funded with the support of the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be hold

responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.