nb

nb

Broadening the concept of what dance can be

nb is the new company of Amsterdam-based choreographer and curator Nicole Beutler, created with the support of manager Janine Dijkmeijer and producer Josta Obbink.

Nicole Beutler’s wide-ranging productions include performance, installations, books, magazines and films, as well as the initiation of projects that create the opportunity for encounters, exchange and reflection. Beutler strives for a critical thinking that transcends the boundaries of artistic disciplines. The emphasis of her work is on ideas and concepts rather than on any one particular art form.

In recent performance projects, Beutler has examined concepts of ‘the ghostly’ and the baroque, she has remade the ballet Les Sylphides, the canon of female theatre-monologues has become the basis for performance as pop-concert, and she has recreated works by American choreographer Lucinda Childs. She takes every opportunity to broaden her and her public’s understanding of what dance in theatre can be. Collaboration with artists of a similar mentality, like composer Gary Shepherd and lighting designer Minna Tiikkainen, is an essential part of the work. Within the specific context of the ‘live’ performance, Nicole Beutler uses a minimum of decor in order to focus on the performer. In all her projects, there is humour and musicality is the main compositional force.

Beutler developed and produced her work as part of the LISA collective for five years before setting up her own company in 2009. She also works as curator for festivals, conferences and lectures.

She was nominated for the acclaimed VSCD Mime-price in 2010.

by Nicole Beutler/ nb, Sanja Mitrovic, Gary Shepherd, Videomachas.com