Norwegian dance history

Norwegian Dance History Revealed

How did the contrasting aesthetics of contemporary, modern and jazz styles enter the Norwegian art scene? And how do we best preserve and present our collective memory of a young and dynamic art form?

The art of dance has a short history in Norway. The 70s and 80s were particularly expansive decades in contemporary dance, paving the way for an artistic explosion in the 90s. Dance Information Norway has collected documentation from the artistic activities in this era – most notably 50 video interviews with the active and passionate choreographers, dancers, teachers and organizers – the driving forces in this pioneering age.

Dance Information Norway will let the present meet the past in their presentation:
• Voices from the interviews, pictures and excerpts from videos of historic Norwegian dance art will be presented in Dance Information’s own cinema.
• One historic work will be presented live: The reconstructed version of Sølvi Edvardsen’’s choreography for Collage Dance Company Villskuddet (1983) performed by graduated dance students from The Norwegian College of Dance.
• MA-students in Choreography from Oslo National Academy of the Arts will present their own “archaeological excavations” where they as young choreographers seek to explore their own standing ground.

The presentation is part of a packed Dance History weekend where three reconstructed performances will be shown; Sølvi Edvardsens Villskuddet (1983), Dansedesigns Film – Dance to be Murdered by (1988) and Lise Ferners Min oldermors grønne korsett; Et gjensyn (1992). A seminar by Nordic Forum for Dance Research and Norwegian Dance History Revealed together will raise the consciousness on our elusive, but precious heritage.