Våra Event

Integration of the body – Hilal dance
Workshop with Master Teacher Alessandro Bascioni
2-4 Nov 2018 in Gothenburg

Days & Times
Fri 2nd Nov 18.00-20.00 (Hilal dance bodywork & introduction)
Sat 3rd Nov 12.00-17.00 (bodywork, technic and dance)
Sun 4th Nov 12.00-16.00 (continuing from Sat.)

Prizes
Fri-Sun 1700 SEK
Sat-Sun 1500 SEK
Only Sat 950 SEK
Only Friday 350 SEK

Studio:
World Dance Company
Kulturhuset Oceanen
Stigbergstorget 8
Gothenburg, Sweden

Registration
Email your namn, id nr, address and phone nr to arabesque@worlddancecompany.se

This workshop
In this workshop Alessandro will deepen the principal of dance exploring the structural and creative aspects of perception and dynamism with integrated movement. The work will develop across horizontal, vertical line and concentric line that interweave in space/time. The work is intended to stimulate and to develop an understanding of the body where every gesture of the dance can become a vehicle of one expressive personal intimate quality.

Organizers
Hilal Dance Sweden and Arabesque Academy
at World Dance Company.

HILAL DANCE
Hilal Dance® is the art dance based on all the creative, theatrical and educational work of Suraya Hilal. Avant-garde artist, Hilal, drawing upon her Arab/Egyptian cultural roots and her extensive research, has brought a new culture to the contemporary dance world. Hilal Dance, conceived in 2000, is now established as a complete organic system which encompasses:

1/ A specific Hilal bodywork, which reflects the holistic nature of the dance. 2/ Movement centred on three concepts: Pendulum, Scissors and Spiral. 3/ A choreographic language system that is rooted in the Arab/Egyptian culture yet expands into a contemporary idiom. 4/ An expressive style inspired by Arab aesthetics, and guided by the concept of harmony of opposites and the balance of creative energy.

Tradition and Innovation
Meticulous field research that was conducted by Suraya Hilal from the 80s, resulted in a fully codified system of movement, establishing and clarifying three traditional categories: the Sha’abi, the Baladi, and Sharqi idioms of dance and music. This work has given birth to a real artistic dance movement in Europe and has become a cultural reference for all those involved in any kind of Egyptian dance. Hilal Dance essentially draws upon ancient roots maintaining the ‘original spirit’, and through refined aesthetics, expands the expressive potential, creating a contemporary and progressive language, that reaches beyond geographic boundaries.

Eastern knowledge
Hilal Dance is particularly related to the aesthetic which underlies Arab/Egyptian art and Eastern knowledge and wisdom of the body. This is reflected in the dramatic use of:

The continuous line of expression that develops and returns to itself, renewed.
A clear geometry of line both fluid and rhythmic creating a whole expression that is both abstract and emotional.
The concept of repetition and improvisation.
The refined attention to detail, as part of the whole.
The inspiration and philosophy of the “harmony of opposites” in Hilal Dance, is guided by the search for a point of energy balance.
Hence the centrality of the breath and the importance of inner movement that expands outward through space.
Hilal Dance captures the pure energy of what everyone loves about dance. It combines the joy and freedom of movement, with the refinement of line and expression. With its strong rhythmic and fluid movement, and subtle textures, the dance promotes integrated body alignment, fitness, flexibility and a complete union of mind and body.

ALESSANDRO BASCIONI
Italian born Alessandro Bascioni, international dancer/choreographer, did his early training in African Dance and North African Dance. He studied Hilal Dance from 1997 in the Hilal Dance School and graduated from the Hilal Art Foundation in 2000. Thereafter, he moved to London where his artistic journey began; he joined the Suraya Hilal Dance Company (2001), and toured with the programme “Al Janub” (2002/03). In 2003, he had his first collaboration with Suraya Hilal in the creation of the programme “Aseel”, and toured successfully 2003/04. This was an important experience which has given Alessandro an impact for his future work.

“In Aseel, a duo performed by Hilal and Alessandro el Bascioni … the pair created what might perhaps be called harmony at a distance. The contact between the two remained limited to the eyes throughout, their bodies never touching. But the movements of the woman mirrored those of the man and vice versa, an unaffected, joyful cooperation evolved, no game of contradictions pressing for resolution”. Westdeutsche Zeitung 28.02.05
Throughout this period, his research, creations and artistic influence have significantly extended the Hilal Dance language in exciting multi-dimensional ways.

In 2005, he set up his own Iskandar Dance Company and premiered the production of El Saqiyeh (The waterwheel) in Tanzhaus nrw, in March 2006. The creation of El Saqiyeh, a piece for three dancers and the percussionist, Ibrahim el Minyawi has been a milestone for Alessandro’s artistic career. He had launched his dance company, touring it internationally and received critical acclaim as a choreographer and artistic director. In El Saqiyeh, The Waterwheel, Alessandro’s choreography takes the Sha’abi form to a new level by showing sophistication of line, geometry, and emotional depth.

Read more about Alessandros stage productions at www.hilaldance.com

Teaching
Alongside his theatre productions, Alessandro has given time and space for the importance of teaching which has always informed his artistic clarity and development. His research through pedagogy has also helped to further the definition of the movement language and concepts of Hilal Dance as a whole.

Alessandro is in demand as a teacher due his strong and clear communication, involving the students in a joyful learning experience. In 2007, he reached the Mastery level within the Hilal Dance School.
He has taught internationally throughout the major cities of Europe and in Australia.

Among the Schools he has taught in, are:

The Place, London
Oxford House, London
Winchester Project, London
Islington Art Factory, London
Tanzhaus nrw, Dusseldorf
Micadances, Paris
Dance Base, (Scotland’s National Centre for Dance)
Accademie de Wallonie, Belgium
College of the University of Western Sydney Dance School, Australia
Wesley Institute Sydney, Australia
Alessandro, in addition to his own work, continues to collaborate with Suraya Hilal in some productions and in all the projects of the Hilal Dance School.