International conference “Dancing Body: Modern Dance in the Whirlwind of Time”
The conference “Dancing Body: Modern Dance in the Whirlwind of Time” will take place on 10–11 October in the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum’s Peeter Süda Hall, located at 12 Müürivahe Street, Tallinn and is organised by the Estonian History Museum and the Estonian Association of Theatre Researchers and Theatre Critics. This international conference explores the early 20th-century cultural life of Estonia through the lens of dance.
Modern dance, back then known as plastic or free dance, emerged as symbols of modernity in the early 20th century. The physical expressiveness of dancers captivated audiences and became a significant cultural phenomenon. The main focus of the conference is to examine the connections between dance and other fields of art and to analyse the works of Estonian dancers. The presentations will discuss the artists whose work has laid the foundation for dance today. The final part of the conference will reflect on the 1990s, a period when modern dance saw a revival after the restoration of Estonia’s independence, and will explore how this second wave contrasted with the first.
The keynote speaker is Karl Toepfer, a dance researcher from the United States. Sille Kapper-Tiisler, Liis Kolle, Kai Stahl (Finland) and Meeta Vardja will provide insights into the relationship between modern dance and other art forms. The creative work of Estonian dancers, both locally and abroad, will be discussed by Anne-Liis Maripuu, Riikka Korppi-Tommola (Finland) and Valda Vidzemniece (Latvia). The developments of the 1990s will be analysed by Heili Einasto, Evelin Lagle-Nõmm and Kai Valtna.
The working languages of the conference are Estonian and English.
Entrance to the conference is FREE, pre-registration is needed.
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10:15-10:30 Conference opening: Anneli Saro, Estonian Association of Theatre Researchers and Theatre Critics, Jaanus Rohumaa, Chief Executive Officer of Estonian History Museum
10:30-11:30 Keynote speaker Karl Toepfer, A Foreign Perspective on Early Modern Dance in Estonia: How Ella Ilbak’s Image Changed My Life.
11:30-12:00 coffee break
12:00-13:30
Mart Laul, Photography Equipment During Interwar Period.
Liis Kolle, The Influence of Dance and Rhythmics on Hanno Kompus’ Work as a Stage Director.
Meeta Vardja, On the Accompanying Music in the Routines of Elmerice Parts, Gerd Neggo and Ella Ilbak.
Chair: Kirsten Simmo.
13:30-14:30 lunch break
14:30-16:00
Anne-Liis Maripuu, The Rise and Fall of Elmerice Parts.
Sille Kapper-Tiisler, Elmerice Parts' Folk Dance-inspired Work.
Kai Stahl, Modern Dance and Dancers in Estonian Visual Art in the 1910s and 1920s.
Chair: Kai Valtna.
16:00-16:30 coffee break
16:30-17:30
Riikka Korppi-Tommola, Politics of Early Modern Dance Guest Performances – Estonian Dancers in Finland.
Valda Vidzemniece, Estonian modern dancers’ guest performances in Latvia: a review of press publications (1921-1935).
Chair: Heili Einasto.
17:30-18:30 Curatorial tour at the exhibition Astounding Stories about theatre and music (in Estonian).
18:30 Reception[/toggle-content]
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10:00-12:00 Anne Tamm-Kivimets, In the Footsteps of Gerd Neggo, lecture and workshop, moderator Anne-Liis Maripuu. Previous dance experience is not required and you can also participate as an observer. (in Estonian)
10.30-12.00 A visit to the Theatre Archives at Maarjamäe (we will meet at 10:00 at the theatre and music museum or at 10:25 at the Maarjamäe castle gates).
12:00-13:30 Lunch break
13:30-15:00
Kai Valtna, Box RM: Undoubted Representation of the 1990s.
Heili Einasto, Dance Writers in the early years of the Estonian Republic and after the Restoration of Independence.
Evelin Lagle-Nõmm, The Beauty and Pain of the Emergence of Higher Dance Education in the 1990s.
Chair: Madli Pesti.
15:00-15:30 coffee break
15:30-17:00 Roundtable: History of Dance – Who Cares?! Sveta Grigorjeva, Mart Kangro and Kristina Paškevicius will participate in the discussion. The discussion will be moderated by dance critic Marie Pullerits.
Closing words and coffee.
19:30 Dance performance of Sveta Grigorjeva ‘Firestarters’, Kanuti Gildi SAAL (with a ticket)[/toggle-content]
The keynote speaker is Karl Toepfer, a dance researcher from the United States. Sille Kapper-Tiisler, Liis Kolle, Kai Stahl (Finland) and Meeta Vardja will provide insights into the relationship between modern dance and other art forms. The creative work of Estonian dancers, both locally and abroad, will be discussed by Anne-Liis Maripuu, Riikka Korppi-Tommola (Finland) and Valda Vidzemniece (Latvia). The developments of the 1990s will be analysed by Heili Einasto, Evelin Lagle-Nõmm and Kai Valtna.
The working languages of the conference are Estonian and English.
Entrance to the conference is FREE, pre-registration is needed.
Programme
Download pdfTHURSDAY, October 10th 2024
[/toggle-title][toggle-content]09:30-10:15 Registration and coffee10:15-10:30 Conference opening: Anneli Saro, Estonian Association of Theatre Researchers and Theatre Critics, Jaanus Rohumaa, Chief Executive Officer of Estonian History Museum
10:30-11:30 Keynote speaker Karl Toepfer, A Foreign Perspective on Early Modern Dance in Estonia: How Ella Ilbak’s Image Changed My Life.
11:30-12:00 coffee break
12:00-13:30
Mart Laul, Photography Equipment During Interwar Period.
Liis Kolle, The Influence of Dance and Rhythmics on Hanno Kompus’ Work as a Stage Director.
Meeta Vardja, On the Accompanying Music in the Routines of Elmerice Parts, Gerd Neggo and Ella Ilbak.
Chair: Kirsten Simmo.
13:30-14:30 lunch break
14:30-16:00
Anne-Liis Maripuu, The Rise and Fall of Elmerice Parts.
Sille Kapper-Tiisler, Elmerice Parts' Folk Dance-inspired Work.
Kai Stahl, Modern Dance and Dancers in Estonian Visual Art in the 1910s and 1920s.
Chair: Kai Valtna.
16:00-16:30 coffee break
16:30-17:30
Riikka Korppi-Tommola, Politics of Early Modern Dance Guest Performances – Estonian Dancers in Finland.
Valda Vidzemniece, Estonian modern dancers’ guest performances in Latvia: a review of press publications (1921-1935).
Chair: Heili Einasto.
17:30-18:30 Curatorial tour at the exhibition Astounding Stories about theatre and music (in Estonian).
18:30 Reception[/toggle-content]
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FRIDAY, October 11th 2024
[/toggle-title][toggle-content]9:45-10:00 coffee10:00-12:00 Anne Tamm-Kivimets, In the Footsteps of Gerd Neggo, lecture and workshop, moderator Anne-Liis Maripuu. Previous dance experience is not required and you can also participate as an observer. (in Estonian)
10.30-12.00 A visit to the Theatre Archives at Maarjamäe (we will meet at 10:00 at the theatre and music museum or at 10:25 at the Maarjamäe castle gates).
12:00-13:30 Lunch break
13:30-15:00
Kai Valtna, Box RM: Undoubted Representation of the 1990s.
Heili Einasto, Dance Writers in the early years of the Estonian Republic and after the Restoration of Independence.
Evelin Lagle-Nõmm, The Beauty and Pain of the Emergence of Higher Dance Education in the 1990s.
Chair: Madli Pesti.
15:00-15:30 coffee break
15:30-17:00 Roundtable: History of Dance – Who Cares?! Sveta Grigorjeva, Mart Kangro and Kristina Paškevicius will participate in the discussion. The discussion will be moderated by dance critic Marie Pullerits.
Closing words and coffee.
19:30 Dance performance of Sveta Grigorjeva ‘Firestarters’, Kanuti Gildi SAAL (with a ticket)[/toggle-content]
The conference is organised by the Estonian History Museum and the Estonian Association of Theatre Researchers and Theatre Critics.
The Conference is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
Further information: Annely Kaldoja - annely.kaldoja@ajaloomuuseum.ee
Photo on the poster: Unknown dancer, private collection of Alvar Loog.
The Conference is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
Further information: Annely Kaldoja - annely.kaldoja@ajaloomuuseum.ee
Photo on the poster: Unknown dancer, private collection of Alvar Loog.