An International Contemporary Dance Residency Project

Zodiak – Center for New Dance and HIAP – Helsinki International Artist Programme cooperate together in 2011–2012 in an international contemporary dance residence project DANCE LINK.

DANCE LINK is a two-year pilot project of creative artist residencies in contemporary dance. The project combines high-quality working conditions for the artists; production, presentation and touring possibilities of dance works; audience development, outreach and community involvement.

Zodiak is in charge of the artistic content and international partners for the project. HIAP is in charge of organising the Helsinki residencies.

In autumn 2011, international DANCE LINK artists in Helsinki were Mart Kangro from Tallinn, and Angela Schubot and Jared Gradinger from Berlin. Kangro’s new creation, which had it premiere during the Helsinki residency, was co-produced by Zodiak – Center for New Dance, Kanuti Gildi Saal and Helsinki Festival. Schubot and Gradinger worked together with Finnish dance artists in an artists’ laboratory, had a public showing in their Open Studio event, and performed their duet work on tour in several cities in Finland.

In 2012, DANCE LINK artists were the renowned Japanese choreographer Kosei Sakamoto and German choreographer Thomas Lehmen, who is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most innovative and forward-thinking dance artists of recent years. Zodiak – Center for New Dance co-produced and presented the new creations of Sakamoto and Lehmen, created in the Helsinki residencies along with Finnish dancers.

In 2013, DANCE LINK artists were Jana Unmüßig, Simo Kellokumpu, Vincent Roumagnac and Aurélie Pétrel. Jana Unmüßig’s three-month residency resulted in a choreography for four women-dancers that was presented at Zodiak – Center for New Dance. In their concept Reset developed and presented during their two-month residency in Helsinki choreographer Simo Kellokumpu, director Vincent Roumagnac and photographer Aurélie Pétrel united three means of expression: choreography, theatre and photography.