Sixteen emerging artists will showcase Israeli dance trends at the Shades of Dance Festival.
By ORI J. LENKINSKIArtor Astaman Paosho 521(photo credit: Alexsander Sarbakof)
Six months ago, Idit Herman was going about her life normally, directing her dance theater ensemble, Klipa Theater, choreographing and performing, when she received a compelling offer. Though her schedule was already full, Herman was enticed when Yair Vardi, artistic director of the Suzanne Dellal Center, approached her about taking on the position of artistic director for the 2011 Shades of Dance Festival.Established in Ramle in 1984, Shades of Dance had functioned as a forum for emerging choreographers to showcase their work in front of a jury that awarded the winners a cash prize.Herman was being asked to step into the shoes of Hanoch Ben-Dror (formerly Rami Levi), Nomi Perlov and other equally renowned figures in the local dance community.“When they asked me to do this job, it was a huge honor,” said Herman in a recent interview.The festival found a home in the Suzanne Dellal Center several years ago, where it has become one of the most highly anticipated dance events on the calendar. The competitive element of the event faded away, leaving in its wake a viable opportunity for young creators to showcase their ideas.Several months ago, Herman attended dozens of rehearsals and auditions of more than 40 hopefuls. After much deliberation, she selected 16 talented artists. This September, the Shades of Dance Festival will overrun Neveh Tzedek with the fruits of these emerging choreographers’ labor.The decision to accept such a large number of artists into the program was a controversial but necessary one in Herman’s eyes. “To choose 16 is a lot. This festival usually includes seven or eight pieces. Sixteen really stretched the limits of what we were capable of funding and producing,” she said. “The festival gives these artists the first framework in which to present their work. It offers conditions that are modest, but they are not to be taken for granted in the profession. I chose a lot of people because I couldn’t resist the potential of these choreographers. When I saw their work, I couldn’t deny them. I am very happy that I chose so many. If I had had choose which ones to keep, let’s say 10, the ones I would have left out turned out to be very special pieces.Some of the ones I had doubts about really turned into a big surprise, which is amazing.”Herman admits that this collage of current dance creations is both a clear reflection of her taste and opinion as a creative artist and a mirror of the trends in Israeli dance. Separated into five evenings, the pieces each fit into what Herman sees as one style.“They are definitely representative of the current trends in the dance world: either current trends or future ones,” she said. The titles for these five evenings are Pure Dance; Dreaming Big; The Future Is Now; The Forbidden Fruit; and Strange Creatures. While they all deal with very different subject matter and techniques, Herman found a common thread among the participating artists.“All these choreographers have serious backgrounds as dancers. That is, they have danced in major companies in Israel and abroad. This was not an intentional criterion for me, but it turned out that way, which is interesting.”
When it came to their creative processes, Herman tried to give her artists the sense of measured autonomy. “The choreographers had a free hand in how many people they wanted to work with. A lot of people went with smaller works – solos and duets. Then there are choreographers that decided to go with big pieces, which is great.To have the courage to do a big production as a young choreographer is not an easy thing. The programs are very diverse,” she said.Since selecting the performances, Herman has guided each of the 16 presenters through their creative processes, lending an objective eye when needed.“I was with them from the beginning, and I saw the works many times. I got to know each of the creators very well,” she explained. Now, with one week to go until the premieres begin, all that is left for Herman to do is sit back and enjoy the show.Though she is eager to return to her regular life, without the hassle of chasing down 16 artists, Herman has greatly enjoyed her role in this process. “I will miss the choreographers very much, and I’m sure I’ll meet at least some of them again along the way.”Though it is impossible to say that this festival sums up Israeli dance, it is a great indicator of what paths are being laid out for the future of the local dance community.Shades of Dance will run at the Suzanne Dellal Center from September 7 to 12. For more information or tickets, visit www.suzannedellal.org.il.
