Pina Bausch
“I’m not so interested in how they move as in what moves them.”
Life.
Pina Bausch was a German dancer and choreographer, who is considered as one of the most important contributors to a Neo-expressionist dance style known as “Tanztheater.” The term, which translates to “dance theatre,” is a form of dance that combines elements of dance, theater, music, speech, and visual design. Her parents owned a restaurant with guest rooms, where Bausch was born. The restaurant provided her with a venue to start performing for the guests at a very young age. These experiences at the restaurant would be a great influence for her choreography, in particular Café Müller (1978). When she was 14 years old, Bausch was accepted into the Folkwang University of the Arts, where she studied until she graduated and received a scholarship to continue her studies at the Juilliard School in 1960. Soon, Bausch began her professional career as a dancer, even performing with the Met Opera Ballet Company. Eventually, she transitioned into a choreographer.
Style
Her work, regarded as a continuation of the European and American expressionist movements, incorporated many expressly dramatic elements and often explored themes connected to trauma, in particular trauma that stems out of relationships.
Tanztheater distinguishes itself from traditional ballet by prioritizing expression and social commentary over narrative and formal structure. It often explores human experiences and emotions, and relationships through movement and visual elements, rather than telling a clear story
Bausch's approach was noted for a stylised blend of dance movement, evident sound design, and involved stage sets. This even caused criticism as first when she took over as director of the Wuppertal Ballet, since the audience was used to traditional ballet repertoire, instead of the strong themes and movements of Bausch.
Works and Videos
An excerpt of Bausch's piece "Nelken." A full study of the piece can be found here.
An excerpt of Bausch's piece "The Rite of Spring." This performance, originally performed in 1975, requires that it be performed in soil.
A trailer of Bausch's piece "BlueBeard." A full view of the piece can be found here.