Choreographer Roberto Olivan for dance workshop

International guest artist Roberto Olivan of Spain has been invited to participate in Contact Dance Company’s 10th annual Contemporary Dance Hybrid, which starts on July 12.

A dancer, choreographer, pedagogue and director, Olivan is considered one of Europe’s most interesting European choreographers. After graduating from Barcelona’s Institut del Teatre and PARTS in Brussels, he joined Rosas, a dance group of Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker.

Olivan directs his own dance company Enclave and has collaborated with Robert Wilson, Trisha Brown, Josse de Pauw and Tom Jansen. He has created works for the Korean National University of Arts in Seoul, the Ensemble Walpurgis, Vertigo Dance Company in Israel, and the Iceland Dance Company. In his work, he skilfully combines dance theatre and contemporary circus art.

His quest is finding freedom in movement that creates new forms. He has refined this technique to develop a unique language which can now be recognised as his particular style and language, centred on speed and precision.

Moving efficiently becomes an important issue as other important roles in working with gravity, consciousness, inner sensations and the visualisation of energy released in movement. The body becomes a tool of projection for the physical and emotional flow.

The workshop aims to support and encourage the shedding of fear for dancers to move in a specific context, focusing on generating dance material to develop and discover the infinite possibilities of movement. Classes are aimed at the more experienced dancer.

Founded in 1999 by artistic director Francesca Abela Tranter, the Contact Dance Company has been recognised for its innovative approach to dance platforms.

The workshop will be held at the company’s new premises in Guardamangia. For more information, e-mail francescatranter@gmail.com.