A very close encounter with Eduardo Guerrero in an old chapel in Amsterdam marked the prelude to the VI Dutch Flamenco Biennal. He treated his audience to a combination of electric music, video-art and a whole load of serious movements and impressive footwork. This modern approach of flamenco stands for the programming of the Dutch festival that wants to be new and innovative.
Eduardo leaves the tablao and moves around the audience. He lays his head on the shoulder of a woman. Sweat dripping from his face. The footwork he just delivered on the small tablao is still echo’ing in the chapel where his performance is held. And now the eerie sounds of the electrical installation are taking over.
Half an hour ago Ernestina van de Noort, the artistic director of the festival, proudly presented the programm of the VI Dutch Flamenco Biennal on the first floor of the venue. Drinks were raised to a new edition of the festival which, according to Van De Noort, promises to offer ‚flamenco on the cutting edge of art‘. Just how cutting this edge is, seems to be expressed in the festival poster. The image of the trampoline jumping girl in the bare feet was not received enthousiastically by all the Dutch afecionado’s. They seem to miss flamenco in this flamenco festival poster. Van de Noort answers to this that the image is by any means very flamenco “There is sky and there is earth. The two basic elements of flamenco: “Tierra y Aire.”
The Dutch Flamenco Biennal started in 2006 and was always meant to show flamenco as a broader art than the popular image of ladies in polkadot dresses. For the first edition I had the chance to interview Israel Galván and Belén Maya (whom were both programmed for the festival) for the Dutch national newspaper Het Parool and they both said more or less the same thing: festivals outside of Spain offer more room for experiments and innovation.
Eduardo moves from the wooden dancefloor in the hall to the stage. He dances in front of the screen showing video art, mixed with moving images of himself and the people watching him, images caputered during his show. The members of the audience are watching Eduardo while watching themselves. Some sort of rage seems to overcome the dancer as he starts approaching the people standing around the stage. Hair is pulled, people move back to avoid the mauling leg of the dancer. Then he turns to a lady on the left and makes a deep bow towards her. He seems to kiss her. His long hair keeps the faces out of sight.
This festival seems to be as avant-garde as you can get. There is Isabel Bajóns ‚Dju-Dju‘ – shouted at and adored during the premiere at the Bienal de Sevilla last September. My personal opinion? I had a great night, but wasn’t too sure what is was that I saw and how flamenco it was exactly. But that could be a very good reason for many to rush to the ticket office. Flamenco Divino’s very own Susanne Zellinger will be doing the introduction to the performance at the festival as well as the after-show interview with the artists. Another reason to check out this special happening.
Also programmed during the Dutch Flamenco Biennal: Rocío Molina with ‚Caida del Cielo‘. A piece that openend in Theatre Chaillot (Paris) last November. I went to see this show and was marvelled. Loved the dramatic build-up and mix of modern and ‚real‘ flamenco. There is shock-effect and there is poetry. And there is humour. Images kept coming back to me days after the show. Can’t wait to see it again.
The venue lights are turned on, Eduardo moves off stage. The heavy electronic music is substituted by a festive rumba. The dancer shows his other face: a playful smile to match his frisky movements. He picks out a couple of ladies from the audience to dance a bit and moves his way out of the chapel hall to make it up the stairs to where the bar is situated. The audience follows him and it doesn’t take long or drinks are raised once again. The pre-party has started. To be continued at the opening of the VI Dutch Flamenco Biennal on January 13th.
Text and photos: Ginette Lavell
Ginette Lavell
Ginette Lavell is copywriter, flamenco journalist and photographer. She has published in Dutch national newspaper Het Parool and magazines like Espanje! and Mundo Flamenco. Ginette is owner of www.flamencoagenda.nl, the agenda website for all the flamenco events in Holland and Belgium.