Encountering GRIP

Of course, we could give you a beautiful PowerPoint presentation about our upcoming projects (about which we are very excited). But, perhaps, instead we should talk about our times which are out of joint, about the current situation in the world and how that reflects in our sector? And, maybe, we could even ask the big question: What is the relevance of dance and the performing arts today? We wonder: Can we still carry on with business as usual or do we need some radical changes? We would like to exchange thoughts, experiences, and reflections with artists, producers, programmers, technicians, and art workers.

During the second part of this morning one of our choreographers, Femke Gyselinck, will present Character , a danced alphabet in book form. Femke made this artist book in collaboration with graphic designer Joris Krits and photographer Robbrecht Desmet. She will talk about the project with the team of the Biennale de la danse and Anita van Dolen (artistic director Julidans, amongst others), who presented the book at Julidans ‘24. A small expo based on the book with a reference library, in a scenography by Asli Çiçek, can be seen during the festival. ‘Character’ is an example of how the research material and archive of a choreographer can be shown within another medium.

GRIP is a dance organization with shared artistic leadership. Choreographers Femke Gyselinck, Jan Martens, Cherish Menzo, and Steven Michel act together as artistic directors. Alongside artistic coordinator Rudi Meulemans and company manager Klaartje Oerlemans they lead GRIP. GRIP is represented world-wide by Line Rousseau and Marion Gauvent from A Propic, Creative Agency for the Performing and Visual Arts. All of them will take part in this encounter. Together we invited Anita van Dolen to join us and engage in the dialogue with the audience.

Exposition Character
20th of September 2025 ongoing between 10:00 and 17:30.

Where?
Centre national de la danse,
40 rue Vaubecour 69002 Lyon.