Wayne McGregor Awards Golden and Silver Lions for Venice Dance Biennale
Wayne McGregor, the new director of the Venice Dance Biennale, has awarded the Golden Lion to Germaine Acogny and the Silver Lion to Oona Doherty. Acogny is a leading figure in contemporary African dance, founder of the Jant-bi school and company in Senegal since 1995. Doherty is praised for her club-culture-inspired, rule-breaking dance that reaches non-theater audiences. The choices are seen as modest and uncontroversial, avoiding recognition of transformative figures like Alonzo King, Bill T. Jones, or former Biennale director Virgilio Sieni. Critic Stefano Tomassini laments the Biennale's past mismanagement under Marie Chouinard and criticizes McGregor's importation of his London studio model, fearing a lack of engagement with local Italian dance. The previous Biennale presidency is faulted for being authoritarian and favoring internationalism at the expense of Italian talent, leaving the Italian dance sector in crisis.
Key facts
- Wayne McGregor appointed director of Venice Dance Biennale.
- Golden Lion awarded to Germaine Acogny.
- Silver Lion awarded to Oona Doherty.
- Germaine Acogny founded Jant-bi school in Senegal in 1995.
- Oona Doherty's dance inspired by club culture.
- Previous director Marie Chouinard criticized for absence and poor programming.
- Criticism of Biennale's international focus neglecting Italian artists.
- Virgilio Sieni, former Italian director, not recognized.
Entities
Artists
- Germaine Acogny
- Oona Doherty
- Wayne McGregor
- Marie Chouinard
- Alonzo King
- Bill T. Jones
- Virgilio Sieni
- Stefano Tomassini
Institutions
- Venice Dance Biennale
- Jant-bi
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Senegal
- London