Dans (Sverige) is a new work taking the shape of two independent pieces – a solo version and a group version, which can be seen as the two sides of the same coin. The solo version, presented at Skogen, is danced by Frédéric Gies. The premises of this new work lie in two backward movements: looking back into the prolific dance materials of the 35 pieces Gies created since they moved to Sweden twelve years ago and looking back at the few traces left of Maison de Fous (Dråhuset), a 1920 work by Les Ballets Suédois, which can be considered as one for the first manifestation of Modernism in Sweden. While the piece looks into the past and excavates the uncanny kinship between Gies’ work and Maison de Fous, it also takes a sharp look at the present, positioning itself against the fetishization of national origins and making use of the figure of the “Fou” as a subversive, irreverent force destabilizing oppressive power structures.
Coproduced by Skogen and Weld, Residence support by MARC and Skogen, With the support of Kulturrådet, Region Skåne, Konstnärsnämnden.
After the performance, they’ll serve dinner. Please feel free to stay and dine with Skogen and the artists.
