About the Workshop |

Introduction to Countertechnique

Countertechnique provides tools for body and mind to deal with the demanding dance practice of the 21st century. It is a movement system to help the dancer think about the dancing body, focusing on the process of incorporating information into action. Within a clear structure of exercises, the Countertechnique class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance, enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible.

 

Date and Location |

07.04.2018

13:00-15:00

DCC Studio, 1 Toseret Ha'aretz st., Tel-Aviv​

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About the Artist |

James Vu Anh Pham has performed in several productions with Chunky Move: Rule of Thirds (2016), Depth of Field (2015), Complexity of Belonging (2014), AORTA (2013), – a Next Move production by Stephanie Lake,  Embodiment1:1:1 (2013), 247 Days (2013) and An Act of Now (2012). In 2014, James performed gentle is the power, a solo piece choreographed by Anouk van Dijk as part of SOLO Festival of Dance in Brisbane. He has been studying Countertechnique intensively since 2012, and became a certified teacher in July 2014.

James received the ‘Best Male Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Work’ 2014 Helpmann Award for his performance in 247 Days and the Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer 2014 Australian Dance Award for AORTA.

Independantly, James has performed in Alice Lee Holland’s Tiny Little Tragedies (2012), professionally with Steps Youth Dance Company Fights & Flights (2014), Triumphs and Other Alternatives (2014) a new work by Ross McCormack’s Muscle Mouth and World of Wearable Art (2015) under the directorship of Mike Mizrahi and Marie Adams.

As of 2016 James has relocated to Belgium to continue his career with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Eastman, performing in Babel 7.16 in the Palais des Papes for the Festival d’Avignon, guesting in Ravel with the Royal Ballet of Flanders, ICON in  the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Les Indes Galantes in collaboration with the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich and Satyagraha at Theater Basel.

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A movie that inspires you |

It's hard for me to define a single film that inspires me but I can say that the films of Studio Ghibli inspire and move me. The fact that so many poetic imagery, stories and imaginative creatures and situations are just an exaggeration and extension of the writer's imagination and that even though it becomes so absurd, it's subtle and humbling. The films remind me how beautiful the most simplest of things are.

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A quote that inspires you |

A quote that I have flying around in my life is "i don't know what I'm doing but I'm doing it". I'm not sure if I saw it somewhere but it just plays in my head a lot, and once I was in Japan and saw a picture of an old man with the quote "I don't know where I'm going but I'm going". That made me laugh.