This spring three artistic disciplines  come together in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam as part of the first Dutch retrospective of the work of the Viennese expressionist Egon Schiele (1890 – 1918). The public will not only be able to view Schiele’s paintings and drawings, but also have a chance to attend performances and dance. These will be jointly produced by Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel and members of the Independent Performance Group (IPG), created by Marina Abramović. It is the first time that the museum will feature performing arts as part of an exhibition.

Like Schiele, both women were inspired by the human body in its most extreme form of expression. The Viennese painter often used the (naked) body in his work. Instead of simply portraying the physique of his models, he tried to go further by revealing their innermost fears and desires. For years both Abramović and de Châtel have sought to understand what the body means, both to themselves and to others. As part of this quest de Châtel often collaborates with other (visual) artists. In this project she was curious to see how Schiele’s work could inspire her and she challenged Abramović to work with her dancers. She hopes that the proximity and intimacy created by the museum space, and which is often lacking in theatrical spaces, will allow the visitor to experience the body in new ways.

Both physically and mentally Abramović seeks to attain extremes. In de Châtel’s work it is either the vulnerable body that confronts the primordial power of nature, or there is a struggle within the body itself as desire and control vie for power. The three artists in the Van Gogh Museum will also expose a “different” kind of beauty. Contorted, ostensibly captive bodies, which exude both power and vulnerability.

Pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama accompanies the dancers during performances on a grand piano. She composed a “sonic tapestry”. It is a new work that incorporates fragments from compositions by Bach, Beethoven, Rihm en Satoh along with personal improvisations: a musical entity which is both nameless and timeless.

Costume and fashion designer AZIZ is responsible for the costumes.

The press:

NRC Handelsblad:
‘…Schiele acquires meaning again. This is a performance and an exhibition that can truly be qualified as sensual.’

Trouw:
‘pleasantly unrefined associations which emphasise the universal character of Schiele’s oppressive, raw and sensuous work…’
 
Het Parool:
‘Here the makers penetrate Schiele’s mindset most profoundly, which sometimes results in beautiful choreographies.’

de Volkskrant:
‘Tortured dance meets shattered nudity’
 
Sp!ts:
‘Egon Schiele: hysterical tempers on the highest level’
 
Haarlems Dagblad:
‘De Châtel: ‘I hope that people will see not the difference, but the connection between the three art forms.’

VPRO:
Watch VPRO's R.A.M about the dance performances

Schiele/Abramović/de Châtel: the details

Dates: 25 March until 19 June 2005

Art works: more than 100 works, mainly gouaches, water colours and drawings

Performances: daily performances by the performers of Marina Abramović’s Independent Performance Group (IPG) that will last throughout the day (each performer spends one week on a shelf)

Dance solos and duets: by Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel, every day at 13:30 and 16:00 (on Sundays only 13:30) in various spaces of the exhibition wing

Gradual and Persistent Loss of Control: a choreography by Marina Abramović and Krisztina de Châtel, in cooperation with pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama and costume and fashion designer AZIZ: Fridays at 20:15, Sundays at 16:00 (length: approximately 45 minutes)

Video projections: video performances by the IPG and a video wall with work by Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel

Publications: the museum edition of the exhibition publication “Egon Schiele: Love and Death” (written by Schiele specialist Jane Kallir ) contains a chapter about the contribution made by Marina Abramović and Dansgroep Krisztina de Châtel (Van Gogh Museum/Hatje Cantz, available in Dutch and English at the museum shop and at www.vangogmuseumshop.com, price € 24,50)

Location: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, all activities will take place in and around the exhibition wing

Entrance fee: € 10 (exhibition including performances and dance)