Inspired by Ruben Afanador's Black-and-White Flamenco Photography Collection
Marcos Morau, Spanish Contemporary Dance Choreographer, Presents "Afanador"
Inaugural Work of the GS Art Center Artists Series
The first image that comes to mind when imagining the traditional Spanish dance flamenco is typically a female dancer in a long red skirt. However, in the dance piece "Afanador," which features flamenco dancers, the performers wear black skirts. This is because "Afanador" was inspired by the black-and-white photo collection of Spanish photographer Ruben Afanador.
"Afanador" is the inaugural work of the ambitious "Artists Series" planned by GS Art Center. The performance will take place at GS Art Center from April 30 to May 1. Through the Artists Series, GS Art Center will select two to three multidisciplinary artists who have pursued works that transcend genres and will focus on highlighting their various creations. The featured artist of the Artists Series, Marcos Morau, is a Spanish contemporary dance choreographer and director. Following "Afanador," Morau's other works, "Pasionaria" (May 16-18) and "Dance of Death: Tomorrow Is a Question" (May 17-18), will consecutively be staged at GS Art Center.
Morau received Spain's most prestigious National Dance Award in 2013, becoming the youngest recipient in its history. In 2023, he was also selected as "Choreographer of the Year" by the German dance magazine Tanz. He has worked with world-renowned dance companies such as Nederlands Dans Theater, Staatsballett Berlin, Lyon Opera Ballet, and the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet, and is set to make his choreographic debut with the Paris Opera Ballet, considered the world's top ballet company, next year.
Morau is presenting "Afanador" on the domestic stage in collaboration with the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet. At a press conference held on the 28th at GS Tower in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ruben Olmo, artistic director of the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet, described Morau as "an influential and highly significant contemporary artist." Olmo explained that he suggested to Morau the idea of creating a dance piece based on Afanador's photo collection. Olmo himself is also one of the subjects featured in Afanador's photo book.
Ruben Olmo, artistic director of the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet (third from the left), is explaining about the performance "Afanador" scheduled for April 30 to May 1 at a press conference held on the 28th at GS Tower in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by GS Art Center
From the left, Miguel Angel Corbacho, Associate Director of the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet, Ruben Olmo, Artistic Director, Inmaculada Salomon, Principal Dancer, and Yoon Sojung, Cord Ballet [Photo by GS Art Center]
The performance of "Afanador" will feature members of the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet as well as dancers from Morau's own company, La Veronal, which he founded in 2004.
Olmo, the artistic director, explained that the process of preparing for "Afanador" involved blending the (dance) language of the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet with that of La Veronal.
"The dance presented by the national ballet showcases unique styles found only in Spain. The national company has its own distinctive language. In contrast, La Veronal is a contemporary dance group with a very unique language of its own. Through collaboration with Morau, we aimed to bring new forms and contemporary trends to our national company and to Spanish dance as a whole. Through this, we wanted to present a new world."
Olmo further added, "It is rare for a dance piece to be inspired by photography. In that sense as well, it was a process of encountering a new world."
Olmo also noted that Morau's choreography pushes dancers to their limits not only physically but also mentally.
Regarding this, Miguel Angel Corbacho, associate director of the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet and co-choreographer of "Afanador," explained, "The movements required us to break away from the familiar motions of Spanish dance that we had learned as students; these were movements not found within the category of Spanish dance. The choreography is extremely dynamic and full of energy, while also demanding exceptional precision."
Olmo stated that "Afanador" does not contain a specific narrative like classical ballets such as "Swan Lake" or "Giselle." "The photo collection that served as the source of inspiration captures moments such as the costumes and makeup of the dancers, how they spend their time in the dressing room before going on stage, and what they experience and think in the moments as they step onto the stage. Morau synthesized this information and inspiration to create a work with his own unique system."
Korean dancer Yoon Sojung, a member of the corps de ballet, will also participate in this performance. Yoon Sojung was born in Seoul in 1994 but moved to Spain at the age of seven months and grew up there. She began dancing at the age of three and, in 2019, became the first Asian to join the Spanish National Flamenco Ballet.
She said, "Although I have performed briefly in Korea a few times, this is my first time coming with the company. I am looking forward to seeing how Korean audiences will receive this fresh and unique flamenco."
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