Mapping the Maschinenhaus Essen by Dance

A Cartography

The film consists of excerpts from 15 different dance performances, which were created in the Maschinenhaus Essen. These works are all shaped both by Christine Brunel’s choreographic and artistic signature style and by the architecture and atmosphere of the Maschinenhaus. Working in various artistic constellations – as a solo artist, with dancers as a choreographer of solo, duo and trio pieces, in co-operations with composers and live musicians, with artists and lighting designers – Christine Brunel pursued not only her continuous research and development of movement, but also an exploration of the space of the Maschinenhaus.
The film is not only a hommage to this very special place and space, it is also a retrospective of the choreographic work of Christine Brunel in the past 15 years.

Christine Brunel und das Maschinenhaus Essen

It all started in 2003 with the “simple” search for a performance space, but even in the course of the very first production staged at the Maschinenhaus (Power House), “je m’en souviens”, it became clear that others would follow. The Maschinenhaus had made a lasting impression on the choreographer and dancer Christine Brunel.

Because it is not “just” a performance space like any other: its architecture, lighting conditions and authentic character turn it into an artistic partner. Over the years, Christine Brunel has entered into a relationship with the hall, exploring it gradually, step by step. Today she knows every square inch of the floor intimately. Her eyes measured the brick walls countless times. Its proportions, designed according to the golden section, have inscribed themselves into her physical memory. Her delicate approach to the space does not abuse it; she is aware of its characteristics and allows it room to breathe.

They know each other well, the choreographer and the Maschinenhaus. But they never got tired of each other. They have inspired and influenced each other. What is more, there is one characteristic they share: both are all about simplicity, the reduction to essentials. Their great quality is to take “nothing” as a starting point of (artistic) production. The choreographies, which have grown out of this partnership, are marked by a great power of expression. And within that they create their very own microcosms. They sense and fill the space, which - despite its size - is capable of exuding intimacy. The space embraces the dance, breathes in unison.

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Premiered on October 22nd, 2013

Artistic Direction: Christine Brunel
Dramaturgy: Tonja Wiebracht
Realisation: Deutsches Tanzfilminstitut Bremen

The film was produced by BRUNEL.TANZ.CIE and Deutsches Tanzfilminstitut Bremen

Partners:
Ministerium für Familie, Kinder, Jugend, Kultur und Sport des Landes NRW, Kulturbüro der Stadt Essen, A. Sutter Fair Business GmbH