Early years, career and training Flashcards
(18 cards)
When and where was she born?
1971 in Israel
Who did she train with and when?
Kibbutz Dance Company in the early nineties
When did she open her own company?
1997 - initially called Z-Bang now known as the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company
What was a key moment in her working career?
She was appointed Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells in 2006
What was Vardimon’s childhood like?
-She is a third generation Kibbutznik, born and raised in Ein HaHoresh, a kibbutz in the Heffer Valley
-Vardimon’s Kibbutz was founded by Holocaust survivors and took in many immigrants
-The original kibbutz reflected strong Marxist-Zionist and social beliefs in its structural and social composition
-Men and women were expected to contribute equally to the agricultural work and children were looked after in children’s houses instead of parents whom they would only see a few hours a day
-The shared childcare facilitated greater efficiency and gender equality in work distribution
-She often reflects that she had a creative and happy childhood
How did her kibbutz raising impact her choreography?
-She portrays a lot of stereotypes to raise awareness of it and to present how our society should be more equal and accepting
-The dancers work together to choreograph suggesting no hierarchy similar to the kibbutz where males and females would take part in the same activities and similar things were expected of them
-Made her more independent
What led to her experience in psychology?
-Education and healthcare were the upmost importance in the Kibbutz which also included a mental-wellbeing and access to a psychologist from an early age
-She also went to Warsaw to the concentration camps where some of her family lived which she accounts as a painful experience
-It was compulsory for Vardimon to join the military service as an 18-year-old Israeli girl and completed her two year compulsory conscription as a psychologist interviewer whereby she learnt a lot by talking to many immigrants from a variety of cultures
What did her military service lead to her being awarded?
Vardimon was awarded special status under the ‘Excellence in Dance’ scheme - she was one of the first aspiring dancers to be afforded such an award which allowed her to continue dancing through her army service
What was Vardimon’s experience at the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company?
-When she completed her military service service Yehudit Arnon (director of the company Auschwitz-Birkenau survivor and now long term mentor and friend of Vardimon’s) to join KCDC
-In order to prepare for this she took part in an extensive workshop programme which had a broad spectrum of classes including music, art history and Graham and Cunningham techniques etc
What was her first work?
‘Master Mortality’ (1992) for four female dancers
What was the work which had the greatest impact to her career?
-‘Echo isn’t there ‘ (1995) - a duet for her and another company member - this won the British Council’s ‘On the way to London’ competition for young choreographers in Israel
-The prize allowed her to to spend a month in London at the Spring Loaded dance festival at The Place; her first visit to the UK and a fantasy opportunity for her to see a wide range of choreographers showcasing their work
What was the process of creating her own company?
-After touring with KCDC for a few more years Vardimon left to work with other small scale touring companies around Europe and was also invited by Ohad Nahirin to perform with Bathsheva Dance Company
-She then moved to London and created her own company Zbang
-In 1999 she was invited to become a Yorkshire Dance Partner and was strongly suggested she change her company name to the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company and secured arts council funding so the company could tour
Who is Guy Bar Amotz?
-This Jasmin Vardimon’s husband and he is the associate director of her company Jasmin Vardimon’s dance company
-He also grew up into a Kibbutz like Vardimon
What does Vardimon require from her dancers?
-She requires dedication to the topic as well as an emotional theatrical connection to the dance - meaning in movement
How often does Vardimon create new work?
-She creates a new work every 2 years in 6 months then spends 1.5 years intensively touring he work
How do audiences react to her work?
-Some are uncertain of how to react as some people don’t applaud as they find her work very emotional
How does she use music in the creative process of her work?
-It is designed in the order of set, props, costume, text, lighting then music so the movement isn’t restricted
How do collaborations with other artists impact her work?
-She is the associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells and all creations for her company have been commissioned, supported and presented at Sadler’s Wells
