Rosas Danst Rosas

In a mind-bracing piece of choreography — Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s revival of Rosas danst Rosasbased on the accumulation of movement, rhythm, wooden chairs and sound — kept the audience rapt at NY Live Arts.

Rhythmically timed pedestrian gestures were transformed into riveting movement scenarios as breath animated the gestures that began with a head lift, hand pushing hair back, floor drops, rolls — back to the start. Each sequence built on the preceding one, both in the filigree of the gesture and elevated rhythm.

Short-sleeved v-necked tops dropped over short skirts slung over black tights. The sultry, sometimes naughty, ladies of the dance change their expressions from blank faced to come-hither smiles. Slyly seductive fingers toyed with the neckline, pulled it down exposing more neck and chest skin. Simple, but effective.

The score by Thierry De Mey and Peter Vermeersch worked in partnership with the action and most importantly the silences.

After a slow burn on the ground, the dancers lined up wooden, straight back chairs and slipped on work boots. The action sped up as the four female dancers built on the floor patterns adding more arm movements and quicker foot patters. Thin ribbons of light reflected off the dancers in the short, slanted mirrored slats on both sides of the stage area. Sitting, spinning and jumping off chairs, the dancers swirled into a cyclone of motion – and then finally…just stops.

The youthfully committed dancers included Laura Bachman, Yuika Hashimoto, Laura Maria Poletti and Soa Ratsifandrihana. It’s always a pleasure to re-visit Ms. De Keersmaeker’s creations.
EYE ON THE ARTS, NY – Celia Ipiotis