We sat down for a chat with Jasmin Vardimon ahead of her new show NOW at Sadler’s Wells East
NOW marks the 25th anniversary of your company. What inspired you to revisit iconic moments from your repertoire for this production?
25 years of creation is a milestone and I wanted to stop and reflect and at the same time to revisit moments & stories that left a mark on my memory.
These moments have been brought back to the studio and reworked with a new, more current perspective.
How does NOW reflect on the “ever-changing world” you mention, and what contemporary issues have shaped this work?
We live in a digital time, where a lot of the information that shapes our point of view is manipulated by what we see on screens.
NOW has cameras installed in various places around the stage, which provide alternative points of view while additional information is added to what’s seen live on stage.
The work reflects on some old issues that are unfortunately never changing, and still very present in our current world (war, borders and at the same time the desire for reconciliation and compassion). Through the use of various camera angles, different perspectives are explored.
Your work often blends dance with socio-political commentary. How do you approach embedding these themes within your choreography?
My work always exists in the gap between the universal and the personal.
The subject matters are universal, but the point of view is very personal and it is presented to the audience through an imaginative lens.
As an Associate Artist with Sadler’s Wells since 2006, how has this long-term collaboration influenced your artistic journey?
For almost 20 years all my creations for my company have been commissioned, supported and presented at Sadler’s Wells.
It had a huge influence on my artistic journey, with crucial support being provided from the inception of each creation all the way to its eventual presentation to audiences.
Your choreography is often described as uniquely theatrical. How do you balance narrative and abstraction in your dance theatre practice?
I always like to tell stories and re-imagine them using various tools and techniques.
I’m fascinated by the continuous exploration of the dialogue between dance and theatre, and with that I believe the human body has an incredible capacity to tell a story, using physical, vocal, emotional and conceptual abilities.
Can you share more about the international cast involved in NOW? How has their diverse background influenced the production
While we explored universal issues in the creative process, each dancer brings to it his/her own interpretation from their own background and experience.
Our performing cast are from the UK, Europe (Belgium, France, Portugal), Asia (Japan) and Africa (Reunion Island).
Reflecting on your career, what have been the most significant shifts in contemporary dance over the past 25 years?
Many shifts were significant in the last 25 years.
Some universal, other political and many personal.
Perhaps the largest one for me actually started from a very personal shift of becoming a mother.
It meant I had to reconsider continuing performing, balancing new priorities, and finally refocusing my attention on building a home for my company, rather than constantly touring.
This home, JVHOME is the fruit of 12 years intense work. It is designed to share artistic experience & knowledge with others, and houses our professional development program, JV2, our youth company, JVyoU along a growing number of community classes and performances.
By offering such development opportunities to dancers and choreographers, we aim to nurture a young generation of artists who are interested in exploring the dialogue between dance and theatre.