Unfiltered, Bold Insights on Nacho Duato's Social Protest Dance Pieces
Ballet serves a purpose beyond mere amusement; it holds the capacity to strip individuals of their morality. (Nacho Duato's statement)
Step into the world of the audacious and fearless Spanish choreographer, Nacho Duato, a mastermind in contemporary dance known for his thought-provoking, emotionally charged pieces. On the dark stage of the Teatro Albéniz in Madrid, Duato's latest artistic offering, the Nacho Duato Company, shines a spotlight on the struggles of our world.
The troupe, consisting of international talents hailing from the US, Italy, Malta, Spain, and beyond, presents a riveting mixture of iconic Duato pieces and new creations carrying heavy social significance. One of these new pieces is Cantos, Duato's heartfelt tribute to child victims of war, specifically those torn apart by the violent chaos in Gaza.
Duato bestows upon dance the power to serve as a potent vehicle for social protest. In the aftermath of the Atocha attacks, he realized that the art of ballet was not just meant for entertainment; it had the potential to stir deep emotions and energize consciences. Since then, he has continued to create dance pieces brimming with commitment and passion.
For Duato, music lies at the very heart of his creative process. He immerses himself in musical pieces for months, even years, before bringing them to life as dance. Cantos is no exception, as he was captivated by the music of Karl Jenkins for almost two years before deciding to choreograph it.
Despite his success, Duato shares his concerns about the current state of dance in Spain, expressing a sense of backward momentum. He points to the exemplary case of Valencia, where budgets for dance and music have been reduced while funds for bullfighting have been increased. This bureaucratic entanglement, Duato argues, undermines the artistic freedom that he once enjoyed while directing the National Dance Company.
Balancing his work in Spain with his role as the artistic director of the Mikhailovsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Duato refuses to abandon his dancers and audience despite the political turmoil. "Art should never be mixed with politics," he emphatically states.
At this serene stage of his life, Duato radiates a deep sense of self-assurance. He is driven by his desire to please, help, and particularly support upcoming dancers eager to learn from him. As he reflects on his life's journey, he acknowledges with gratitude that dance has nurtured and enlightened him in ways that may have otherwise left him lost.
As the Nacho Duato Company embarks on a nationwide tour of Spain, audiences across the country get a chance to witness this groundbreaking display of social protest through dance. From Madrid to Malaga, Pamplona, Vitoria, Seville, and beyond, theatergoers are in for an unforgettable, heart-wrenching experience that questions, challenges, and ultimately, moves them.
In the artistic world of Nacho Duato, dance is not only a means of entertainment but also a powerful medium for social protest. This is exemplified in his latest creation, Cantos, a heartfelt tribute to child victims of war, where music from Karl Jenkins serves as the driving force behind the expression of deep emotions and social significance.
){kind=link}