Meg Stuart and Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker
Book Project by Irmela Kästner, Hamburg and Tina Ruisinger, Zurich
Designed by Anja Lutz, Berlin
Published by Klaus Kieser Verlag, München, 2007
The US-American Meg Stuart and the Belgian Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker are stars in the contemporary dance scene, they have left their mark on dance in Europe.
Both started in the 80's with a new approach in contemporary dance, each in their own, surprisingly unconventional way. Her works are exemplary examples of choreographic development and research in dance of the last 25 years, successfully meeting new artistic and cultural challenges. The authors have accompanied the work of both choreographers and their companies Rosas and Damaged Goods over many years. Indepth examples of their debates in text, interviews and photographs as well as the visual design of Anja Lutz, are portrayed in the book. Essentially there is the personality of the choreographer. The book documents and reflects pieces and creation processes by means of concrete encounters and performances at special places. A performance of Stuart’ s solo „XXX for Arlene and Colleagues“ 1998 in London, the work of Damaged Goods of „Replacement“ in Summer 2005 in Berlin, Rosas performance of „Mozart/Concert Arias“ at the Festival Theater der Welt 1996 in Dresden and their reprise 2004 in Marseille as examples.
The publication illuminates the context of reception and development conditions of the two choreographers and their arts, acquiring their own positions as regards content and aesthetic, telling a piece of contemporary history. Dance journalist Irmela Kästner and photographer Tina Ruisinger present their body of work in their own personal and direct way. The book is divided in two parts: each part represents the respective choreographers in text, photos and graphics.
“Rosas”-Gründerin Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker und Meg Stuart, Amerikanerin in Brüssel, haben postmoderne Tanzgeschichte geschrieben. Nun ist endlich ein Buch über die beiden Ausnahmekünstlerinnen erschienen. Der so originelle wie sachkundige Text-Bild-Band widmet sich salomonisch “halbe-halbe” ihrem Schaffen.“ (Klaus Witzeling / Hamburger Abendblatt)
“Kästners und Ruisingers gelungene Unternehmung stellt nicht nur eine lesbare, lustvolle Einladung zur Auseinandersetzung mit dem zeitgenössischen Tanz dar, vielmehr wird damit auch eine wichtige Primärliteraturlücke gefüllt.” (Thomas Ballhausen / skug)
