Aterballetto's MicroDanze Brings Dance and VR to Brussels' Halles de Schaerbeek

From December 9 to 11, 2021, the Halles de Schaerbeek in Brussels hosted a stage of MicroDanze, a project by the Compagnia Nazionale della Danza/Aterballetto that dialogues between dance and contemporary art. Conceived by Gigi Cristoforetti, the initiative is co-produced with Fondazione Palazzo Magnani and partnered with the Halles de Schaerbeek and the Greek National Opera in Athens. Fifteen performers presented twelve micro-dances by choreographers including Angelin Preljocaj, Diego Torelli, Norge Cedeño Raffo, Philippe Kratz, and Francesca Lattuada. Each piece lasts about 7–8 minutes in a reduced stage space, allowing audiences to move freely and view from any angle, creating an intimate, museum-like experience. A second immersive dimension uses 360° cinematic VR to capture four micro-dances, letting viewers wear a headset to feel as if they are inside the choreography. The project originated from an invitation by Palazzo Magnani in Reggio Emilia to enrich an exhibition on dance in art, curated by Marina Dacci. Future phases will explore dance as public art in Reggio Emilia, Athens, and Brussels, with reenactments for local young dancers in urban spaces.