"Shahrazad" starts from Hip Hop and its movement methods within the contemporary dance world. Marita Schwanke and Adem Ouhaibia investigate how these methods can be translated and transformed with attention to their individual dance backgrounds and knowledge (Marita coming from ballet and contemporary dance, and Adem from hip hop and breakdance). This performance emerged out of their research and practice Breaking Technologies, in which they look at Breakdance through five elements: History, Musicality, Originality, Power, and Form, and research how and where Breaking and Contemporary dance intersect.
"Shahrazad" is about making and leaving traces — as a recording of the past but also as an imagination of the future. The friction between so-called "high art" (contemporary dance) and "low art" (hip hop) is part of the future they imagine.
Credits:
Maker: Adem Ouhaibia in collaboration with Marita Schwanke
Performers: Adem Ouhaibia & Marita Schwanke
Mentor: Youness Khoukhou
Outside eye: Axelle Verkempinck
Techniqual support: Bert Van Dijck
Made in the context of: Master STUDIOS, P.A.R.T.S.