Experience Energy with NDT II Ballet
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Nederland Dans Theater II (NDT II) is offering their interpretation of the works of legendary choreographers for Korean fans this weekend at the Seongnam Arts Center.
The Dutch troupe was launched in 1959, when ballet and contemporary dance began merging in Europe. It was one of the first dance troupes to ignore the boundaries of traditional ballet and contemporary dance, paving the way for creative and distinctive works.
NDT II will present the works of choreographers who are respected for their works during the transition period ― Jiri Kylian's ``Sleepless,'' Ohad Naharin's ``Minus 16'' and Hans van Manen's ``Simple Things.''
NDT II is part of Nederlands Dans Theater, which comprises three teams; NDT I (dancers who are 23 years old or older), NDT II (17 to 22 years old), and NDT III (40 years old or older).
Won Jin-young, the only Korean dancer in the troupe, will appear in all three performances.
``I had the chance to see the movements of contemporary dance at the Lausanne Concours in 2005. I was captivated by the movements and the body and wondered, can I move like that too?'' she told The Korea Times. Won, who won the first prize at the competition as a ballerina, switched to NDT II. She incorporated her ballet techniques with contemporary dance moves and became a more ``open'' dancer.
``NDT II is open to every style of movement. Even just moving around can be called as dance,'' the 21-year-old dancer said.
In ``Sleepless,'' renowned Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian introduces a technique called ``trompe-l'oeil.'' The special technique will show dancers appearing and disappearing instantly like magic through a long wall of white fabric. The performance will present simple and sharp movements.
Israeli dancer and choreographer Ohad Naharin's ``Minus 16'' will prove dance is a universal language by sharing the stage with the audience. The dance will start with 15 male dancers in black suits. They are then given hats and chairs, performing an ensemble. At the climax of the work, they will jump off the stage and bring up the audience to join.
``This performance will be natural. The moves are very honest to the body and will show that anybody can dance, even the audience who came to only watch. It will be a great opportunity for guests to really enjoy the experience,'' said Won.
The last performance, ``Simple Things'' by Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen will show simplicity. The performance will offer several powerful duets to the music of Scarlatti and Haydn by an accordion. According to Won, it will represent the equality of force in dance between male and female.
Gerald Tibbs, the executive artistic director of the NDT II, showed his enthusiasm and satisfaction of returning to Korea for the first time in 16 years.
When asked of Won as a dancer, Tibbs said that she had that ``extra'' something.
``She is a quick learner not only in her profession, but also her personal life. Living in (the Netherlands) must be very different from her upbringing in Korea, but she has always shown eagerness to learn,'' said Tibbs.
As for the performance, the director said that the works will satisfy the audience with the variety of styles.
``All three performances are very different because we are a repertory company. They will represent very different (aspects) of dance,'' he said.
NDT II will perform at Seongnam Arts Center located near exit 1 of Imae station on the Bundang line today and Sunday. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. Visit www.snart.or.kr.