Thursday, March 12, 1998
Flexibility
DANCE: Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company moves with the times
By Terry Tang
Daily Bruin Contributor
Classifying Batsheva Dance Company into one genre is no easy
spin around the dance floor. But their willingness to stretch the
human body to new heights has earned them an audience which spans
across the globe.
Journeying from their native land of Israel, Batsheva will take
the stage at Veterans Wadsworth Theater this Friday. Although the
group enjoys entertaining a new audience, Batsheva’s dancers remain
just as focused on pushing themselves physically.
"The emotional state they are in is very important. It is never
relaxed," says Ohad Naharin, the group’s artistic director and
choreographer. "There is a very soft quality sometimes, but there
is always an alertness. You can see a cat sleeping but you know
that if it just senses you, it will jump."
Famous for high-energy routines, Batsheva often encompasses a
mix of styles from ballet to break dance. Combined with music and
film accompaniments, Batsheva’s shows have often been labeled as
modern pop concerts. However, Naharin refuses to let his work fall
under the term modern.
"For me, modern was a movement that wanted to abolish the past
and start everything new. For me, the past is very important and I
think everything we know is because we remember the past–not just
dancers, people," explains Naharin. "It gives me reference,
information, inspiration."
As choreographer, Naharin teaches the dancers about the
importance of researching composition, form and new styles.
"Creating, making up things, was always part of myself. I tested
myself with writing, music, sculpture, making up stories," Naharin
says. "I always had a passion for it. And when I fell into dance,
it was natural that I would start doing that too."
As one of the most famous dance companies in Israel, Batsheva
demands a strict schedule of rehearsals and tours from its dancers.
With only a one-month summer vacation, dancers spend the rest of
the year practicing six days a week, eight to 10 hours a day. The
troupe gives at least 90 performances each year.
Batsheva also expects flexibility from its audience. Although
some of Naharin’s pieces incorporate aspects of Jewish culture,
viewers do not need a cultural understanding to enjoy themselves.
They do not need a beginning, middle and end in a dance piece to
arrive at their own interpretation.
"I like that feeling of dialogue with my audience. And to have a
dialogue, you need someone who listens, who sees, one with
imagination, who is alert. It is not a matter of understanding
dance," Naharin says.
Approaching its 35th year, Batsheva originated as a modern dance
company in Tel Aviv. The dance troupe has taken center stage in
many countries such as Brazil, Japan and areas throughout Europe.
Although touring can be hectic, the group thrives on displaying
their dancing in new countries and keeps from making cultural
comparisons.
"Home is home and other countries are just places we visit,"
Naharin explains.
They continue to inspire others, as well. With the Batsheva
Ensemble– an extension of the main company–a team of fresh faces
can hone their craft as dancers or choreographers while encouraging
young people throughout Israel to nourish the passion they have for
dance.
"The ensemble has three main points: preparing dancers for
mature companies, giving artistic instruments to young
choreographers to work with dancers, bringing the dance to young
audiences all over Israel with the young company," says Ben-Ami
Einav, Batsheva’s general manager.
Although unsure about its long-term prospects, Einav asserts the
dance ensemble–along with the main company–has played an
influential role in the trends of Israel.
"When I go to a dance performance, I feel old. The dance
audience is increasing tremendously in the last years in Israel. I
think in a way, due to Batsheva," Einav says.
No matter what, Naharin plans to make the most of his tenure
with the troupe, which has come to feel like a close-knit family.
More than anything, Naharin wants to show the results of his
research into the rhythm and coordination of our body.
"I can only give people my work. I cannot give them the eyes to
see it. So, I hope they have good eyes," Naharin jokes.
DANCE: Batsheva Dance Company performs March 13 and 14 at 8 p.m.
and March 15 at 2 p.m. at the Veterans Wadsworth Theater. A
CenterStage Lecture with the choreographer will take place one hour
prior to show times. Tickets are $35, $32 and $9 with UCLA I.D. For
more information, call (310) 825-2101.
UCLA Center for the Performing Arts
Batsheva goes beyond the modern genre by mixing styles from
ballet to break dance.