• renee van zadelhoff

  • ABOUT
    Tanzmanschine is a techno dance performance where spectators watch from an elevated position, looking down into a metal arena. On the dance floor within this construction, nine square lights shine in a 3×3 grid pattern.
    As choreography, Niek repeatedly jumps to an illuminated square until exhaustion. The dark techno accompanying the spectacle is spatially controllable through Niek’s movement and position in the arena. Controlling the volume and position empowers Niek and ultimately liberates him from the constraining choreography and light design. The performance explores the relationship between physical limitation and technological control, demonstrating how dance, listening and techno can become a tool for breaking free from imposed structures.

    TECHNICAL INSIGHTS
    In Tanzmanschine, we use an infrared camera, which is hanging above the performance space. This camera projects invisible light on the performer and is connected to Isadora (a communication software). In Isadora, we use the incoming light data to influence the light- and soundscapes. Because of this connection, I can influence my surroundings. Therefore, I need to discover the impact of the movements on the invisible machine. I follow the light to stay visible. Until the system limits my movement space and forces me into exhaustion. By falling to the ground I become invisible to the camera. I reground myself to go against the light and control the sound.
    De vragen die we opwerpen: Hoe verhouden we ons tot iets dat we niet kunnen zien? Wat zijn de onzichtbare vertalingen van onze handelingen? Hoe gaan we om met iets dat nooit lijkt op te houden?

    PERSONAL NOTE
    Hoe kunnen we gezien worden in een verdwijnende wereld?     I decided to follow the light and let myself be guided by it. So I stay visible. So I can be, there. Seen. In the spotlight. In the right place, in the right timing. I get immersed in the commands of the machine. Trying to be ahead. To stay visible within the installation. The machine leads me to my outermost border of exhaustion, of being. The struggle becomes more and more visible.
    How can I make the invisible visible to you? How can I break with the light without losing my flow? Through listening and moving, through acting and reacting. This way, I can choose between going against and working with the invisible power. I embody the invisible to make it visible.

    When I start, I need focus and an empty head. All of my attention goes to the sound, the body, and the light. While performing it, I noticed that if I memorized all the lights, my brain would be too busy to react. To be able to react as fast as the machine demands, I am obliged to follow my intuition, my senses, and my reflexes.  The machine doesn’t stop, so the only option is to give yourself to it completely. I have quite the winning mentality, so making mistakes pushes me to be even more precise. And if I don’t listen well enough, the mistakes are inevitable. It puts me in this special state, which keeps me going.


    TEAM
    Concept & Performance     Niek Vanoosterweyck
    Geluidsontwerp IGNOTA
    Licht ontwerp Hessel Hilgersom
    Technical Production & Sound Engineer Titus Duitshof
    Production & Outside Eye Saskia Wieser
    Begeleider Bas van Rijnsoever
    Dank aan Loes van der Pligt, Willem Weemhoff, Erik Lint, Fred Rodrigues, Renee Van Zadelhoff
    Mogelijk gemaakt door Mime Education & IDlab
    Première op 29/11/2019 te the Academy of Theatre and Dance
    Gespeeld te Toneelschuur, Musis Arnhem for ITS Festival on Tour 2020, OHIJ Festival , Museumnacht 2022 Stedelijk Museum

    Ondersteund door