Florentina Holzinger's Formative Collaboration with Trixie Cordua, the 'Naked Ballerina'
Florentina Holzinger, an Austrian choreographer, highlights her partnership with Beatrice 'Trixie' Cordua as crucial to her artistic journey. Cordua, known as the 'naked ballerina' from John Neumeier's 1972 The Rite of Spring, became part of Holzinger's troupe in her seventies, participating in three productions before her passing last year. Once a student of George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham, Cordua was labeled 'too old' for ballet by her thirties, prompting her to embrace themes of chaos and abjection. Their collaboration sparked after a panel discussion, leading to the creation of Tanz (2019). Holzinger's innovative works, such as A Year Without Summer (2025), Sancta (2024), and Ophelia's Got Talent (2022), challenge traditional ballet norms. This spring, she will represent Austria at the Venice Biennale.
Key facts
- Florentina Holzinger collaborates with Trixie Cordua, the 'naked ballerina' from John Neumeier's 1972 The Rite of Spring.
- Cordua studied under George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham but was considered 'too old' for ballet by her thirties.
- She performed in three of Holzinger's productions before her death last year.
- Their meeting led to Tanz (2019), featuring a perverted ballet teacher teaching masturbation.
- Cordua believed dancers must be in touch with their genitals and found the ballet barre erotic.
- Holzinger's work confronts ballet, performance art, ritual, bodybuilding, and wellness, often shocking audiences.
- Her ensemble includes bodies traditionally excluded from dance, focusing on age and ability.
- Holzinger will represent Austria at the Venice Biennale this spring.
Entities
Artists
- Florentina Holzinger
- Beatrice 'Trixie' Cordua
- John Neumeier
- George Balanchine
- Merce Cunningham
Institutions
- AnOther Magazine
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Austria
- Venice
- Italy