In 2022, London inaugurated a new chapter in the Maison’s long-standing ties to the world of choreography by hosting the first edition of the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival.
Over nearly three weeks, 17 shows—both recent works and from the contemporary dance repertoire— as well as artist forums and film screenings offered the public a panorama of dance spanning from the 1970s to the present day.
Collaborations with prestigious partners, contributions to major choreographic events, support for emerging and touring artists… These various commitments, in keeping with the values of creation, transmission and education dear to the Maison, all meet the same objective of celebrating contemporary choreographic art.
A reflection of these developments, the Festival has since been staged around the world: in Hong Kong (May 2023); in New York (October — December 2023); and, most recently, in Kyoto and Saitama (October — November 2024). Beyond the richness and singularity of their programs, each edition has highlighted a different aspect of Van Cleef & Arpels’ artistic and creative history. London initiated a conversation between dance and jewellery, exploring the ways in which these arts represent movement.
Since 2020, Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels has supported artists for their creations as well as institutions for their presentations through numerous international collaborations. In keeping with values of creation, transmission and education, the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival is an opportunity each year to share the passion for choreographic arts with the widest possible audience.
This edition will feature recent as well as repertory works, dance workshops, artist forums and awareness- raising initiatives, all highlighting the links between choreographic heritage and contemporary creation.
A number of creations embody this approach, including Working Title (1985) by Trisha Brown, presented alongside In the Fall (2023), a piece from Noé Soulier commissioned by the company of this celebrated artist. Beach Birds and BIPED, major works by Merce Cunningham reinterpreted by the Lyon Opera Ballet, also showcase the recent history of dance. With Giselle…, François Gremaud revisits a fundamental romantic work of the classical repertoire: Giselle (1841). This approach is enriched by contemporary choreographers’ development of new languages with many influences. While Age of Content by (LA)HORDE – Ballet national de Marseille draws on action films, musicals and the video game universe, Sakinan göze çöp batar by Christian Rizzo is inspired by a traditional Turkish dance.
At Tate Modern, Shu Lea Cheang and Dondon Hounwn are staging Hagay Dreaming, a visual and performance piece combining tribal legends from Taiwan’s indigenous Truku culture with science fiction. Robyn Orlin pays tribute to the Zulu rickshaws of her childhood in We wear our wheels with pride… Finally, for his last piece, Close Up, Noé Soulier creates a space of intimacy with dance through the use of video.
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