New Leadership of the Vienna Dance Quarter Focuses on Innovative Season Opening

Getting people moving. This is the short summary of the goal of the new management of the Vienna Dance Quarter. On Wednesday, the new leadership duo Isabel Lewis and Rio Rutzinger presented their ideas and plans for the first season at the institution located in the Museumsquartier. With a sensual garden, they start the new era on October 3rd and 4th in Hall G, where local and international dancers come together for this opening.

A Garden of the Senses in Vienna

At this "Occasion," co-director Lewis brings various formats to a freely accessible garden landscape, created by people like scent researcher Sissel Tolaas, chef Steffi Parlow, or dancers like Sabina Holzer and Doris Uhlich. This event is followed relatively immediately by an Open House until October 11th, offering a program at the TQW from morning to evening - from performances to artistic aperitifs to readings. Over 30 artists are involved in this opening week.

"This special week is also a kind of invocation, an attempt to create the kind of institution that is desired, perhaps even necessary, in times of increasing division, cult-like individualism, and dangerous neglect of the long-term effects of violence and displacement," is how the goal of the also freely accessible opening is formulated.

Performances by Newcomers and Well-Known Artists

In the following months, various performances are scheduled, ranging from renowned names like Dean Moss ("Figures on a Field" from October 23rd) or Ian Kaler (video performance "You are song, to me" from November 19th) to newcomers. According to the mission statement of being an open house for dance and performance cultures, they even join the Johann Strauss Year in December, when the Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui celebrates an "Imperial Ball."

Dance Studio as a Place of Support and Arrival

In parallel, the research track invites scientific reflection on the topics, which includes book presentations, laboratory situations, or discussions. And last but not least, there should continue to be workshops where people can become active themselves. It is about understanding the supposedly neutral space of the dance studio as a location of support and inspiration, says Lewis.

Apart from all that, co-director Rutzinger also has a very relaxed wish: "We hope that the Tanzquartier, with its brilliantly central location, simply becomes a place where people come and hang out." For this, the opening hours have been extended to Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

"Joyful New Beginning in Not Easy Times"

"The joyful new beginning of an artistic direction in not easy times," stated Vienna's City Councillor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ) at the presentation, simultaneously highlighting the importance of institutions like the TQW: "Art is not decoration, we are not in a leisure room - but in a space that is essentially important for our society."

(APA/Red)

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