One of the aspects of Israeli dance I enjoy most is its diversity, which reflects the diversity of Israeli society and culture. Friday, December 10, the third day of International Exposure 2010, covered an amazing range of dance forms and venues, with different options for the visiting guests. Guests could choose to begin their day with pantomime artist Hanoch Rosen or the Israel Ballet, where they were welcomed by Artistic Director and choreographer Berta Yampolsky. The company currently makes its home in a studio within an elementary school in Tel Aviv, as Yampolsky said, “It is not easy to have a classical ballet company in Israel. This is the Mecca for modern dance.” The company performed selections from Mendelssohn Concerto and Harmonium, both choreographed by Berta Yampolsky. The two works are part of a triple bill program which includes Balanchine’s Symphony in C.
Following the ballet, some opted to head out to Tmuna Theatre, a venue for alternative theatre, dance and music performances, where they saw Arkadi Zaides’ Quiet. Zaides created the work with Muhammed Mugrabi, Rabie Khoury and Ofir Yudilevitch – four men, each from a different ethnic and movement background. With set design by Klone, the work explores the troubled terrain of communication between Jews and Arabs in Israel. The route to Tmuna from the Israel Ballet offered another Israeli experience: traffic was temporarily held up on Ibn Gvirol Street by the march in honor of International Human Rights Day.
From the back streets of the Montefiore neighborhood the group went on to the Israeli Opera where they viewed a performance of The Project – an initiative of the Israeli Opera and the Suzanne Dellal Centre. Creating with the aim of presenting international contemporary repertory dance in Israel, the program featured works by Emanuel Gat, Jacopo Godani and Marco Goecke. Next on the agenda – more choices! Yasmeen Godder opened her studio in Jaffa to present a new work still in progress, offering guests the option of arriving either on Friday or Saturday afternoon.
Everyone gathered in the events tent at Suzanne Dellal for the Shabbat Reception – a chance to share experiences and relax in the place that for the five days of International Exposure – is home. With their travelling done for the day, guests could anticipate a full evening at Suzanne Dellal. The program included: Maria Kong Dancers Company with their new work Miss Brazil, choreographed in collaboration with Idan Cohen; Yossi Berg and Oded Graf Dance Company with their new work Animal Lost, and Renana Raz with a unique project YouMake, ReMake – an interdisciplinary event in which dancers create responses to YouTube clips.
The smiles and dancing went on into the night…
AYELET DEKEL
