Luke Jessop
photo by Danny Willems
ELENA FOKINA
Freedom of Calmness
Class:
The class will focus mainly on the connection with one’s own body, with the understanding of its limits, in order to acknowledge how far one is willing or able to go. Awareness of the skeletal structure, its capability of mobility, its mechanics and directional awareness will help us to explore the space across the floor and through the air. Calmness always being the starting point. Learning to search for resting points during the use of force, power, and strength. Reaching freedom when being locked. The natural state of expressions will allow us to find our own unique language, which will lead us towards movement material composed into phrases emphasizing the full range of spatial possibilities coming from the floor to reaching the air above.
Bio:
Elena Fokina follows dance training at the University for Culture and the Russian Academy for Theatrical Arts in Moscow.
In 1998 she graduates with a choreographer and teacher degree.
From 1997 to 2001 she dances with the Russian Chamber Ballet Moscow.
In 2001 she joins Ultima Vez, directed by Wim Vandekeybus, for the creations and tour of the following productions:
"Blush" (2002), "What the Body Does Not Remember" (2002), "Sonic Boom" (2003), "Puur" (2005), "Spiegel" (2006), "Menske" (2007), "Oedipus / Bet Noir" ( 2011), "Booty Looting" (2012) and "Talk to the Demon" (2013).
In 2006 Elena is assisting Wim Vandekeybus with the creation of “Quiebro” for the Spanish National Dance Company directed by Nacho Duato. She is also repeatedly assisting Wim Vandekeybus in auditions for the Ultima Vez company.
Since 2009 she is also collaborating with German Jauregui.
From 2015 until March 2018, she was working as a dancer and teacher of contemporary dance for the Royal Swedish Ballet, in Stockholm.
Right now Elena is freelancing around the world in the field of Dance, Theatre & Cinema.
Video footage from:
“Blush” the Film by Wim Vandekeybus / Ultima Vez
“Spiegel” by Wim Vandekeybus / Ultima Vez
“Here After” by Wim Vandekeybus / Ultima Vez
“Confession” by german Jauregui
“Sunset on Mars” by German Jauregui
Music:
Broken Reality by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400010
Artist: http://incompetech.com/