13th Venice Biennale Danza Focuses on Training and Emerging Choreographers

The 13th edition of the Venice Biennale Danza runs from June 21 to 30, 2019, under the artistic direction of Marie Chouinard. The program emphasizes the Biennale College project, which since 2017 has included a choreography track. Three young choreographers (maximum age 25) will create six short works with seven professional dancers. Maria Chiara de’ Nobili (born 1995), a College 2018 alumna, is now in the official program. The title "On becoming a smart god-dess" reflects Chouinard's focus on the dancer's inner silence and somatic approaches that prioritize interior motivation over technique. The College dancers will also perform works by Trisha Brown and a new piece by Alessandro Sciarroni. Sasha Waltz revives her 2004 masterpiece "Impromptus" at Teatro delle Tese. The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement was awarded to Alessandro Sciarroni, and the Silver Lion to the duo Théo Mercier & Steven Michel. Sciarroni's work is poetic and minimal, while Mercier & Michel's is ironic and plastic. Both artists have backgrounds in visual arts. The program includes performances by William Forsythe, Daniel Léveillé, Simona Bertozzi, Doris Uhlich, Luke George, and others. Outdoor performances will take place in daily life settings. A film program features documentaries on Steve Paxton and Lucinda Childs, and a short film day on June 30. Interviews with artists will be held at Giardino Marceglia.