Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker's "Work/Travail/Arbeid"

Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker is a pioneering figure in contemporary dance, known for her innovative choreography and ability to transform performance spaces. One of her most notable works, "Work/Travail/Arbeid," reimagines the boundaries of traditional dance by bringing it into the realm of the museum. This case study explores the performance's concept, development, and its impact on audience engagement and spatial dynamics.

Context

"Work/Travail/Arbeid" evolved from De Keersmaeker's interest in exploring the temporal and spatial dimensions of dance. Originally performed as "Vortex Temporum" in traditional theater settings, the adaptation to museum spaces marked a significant departure. Unlike traditional performances confined to a fixed duration and space, "Work/Travail/Arbeid" is designed to be performed continuously over several hours each day. This allows for a fluid interaction between the dancers and the audience, who are free to come and go as they please, creating a unique and personalized viewing experience. ****

The performance's spatial dynamics vary depending on the museum setting:

• WIELS, Brussels: At WIELS, the choreography unfolds in two interconnected showrooms, allowing spectators to navigate freely between them. This setup contrasts sharply with fixed seating in theaters, empowering viewers to choose their vantage points and engage with the performance from multiple perspectives.

• MoMA, New York: In MoMA's Marron Atrium, the performance is consolidated into a single gallery space, bringing the audience in close proximity to the dancers. Some spectators sit on the floor, creating a playful tension and immediacy as dancers navigate around them, blurring the lines between performer and spectator.

One of the most significant innovations of "Work/Travail/Arbeid" is its redefinition of temporal engagement. In a museum setting, the audience determines their engagement duration, entering and exiting at will. This flexibility disrupts conventional narratives of performance, introducing a new temporal elasticity that challenges both performers and viewers. Spectators can witness the gradual evolution of the choreography, gaining a richer, more nuanced understanding of the work.

The interactivity inherent in "Work/Travail/Arbeid" is further amplified by spontaneous interactions between dancers and spectators. Moments when dancers acknowledge the audience, smile, or subtly alter their movements in response to viewers' presence highlight the performance's adaptability and responsiveness. This bidirectional flow of energy transforms the museum space into a living, breathing entity where every participant, whether dancer or spectator, contributes to the unfolding narrative.

"Work/Travail/Arbeid" exemplifies how dance can adapt to and enrich the museum context, offering new possibilities for both art forms to evolve:

• Museums: By incorporating live performances like this, museums can enhance visitor engagement and attract diverse audiences. The dynamic interaction between dancers and spectators adds a new dimension to the museum experience, making it more immersive and participatory.

• Dance: Performing in museum spaces challenges dancers to adapt to new environments and engage with audiences in unconventional ways. This expands the choreographic canvas, encouraging innovation and experimentation in dance.

Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker's "Work/Travail/Arbeid" is a seminal work that bridges the gap between dance and museum spaces. Its innovative approach to spatial and temporal dynamics and audience interaction exemplifies the transformative potential of integrating live performances into galleries. This performance not only reimagines the role of dance in contemporary culture but also enriches the museum experience, creating new opportunities for engagement, interaction, and artistic expression.

As museums continue to explore dynamic programming, performances like "Work/Travail/Arbeid" pave the way for a future where art forms intersect in meaningful and unexpected ways, offering audiences profound new experiences.