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«KörperArchiv(e) in Resonanz»
Kollektiv dance me to the end

DanceShowing

A space for remembrance, talks and an exhibition mark the conclusion of a multi-part research project on bodies as archives and their connection to the Gessnerallee.

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  • Sun 27/0917:00–19:00

    Südbühne

    Free admission

A research project into the links between the collective and the Gessnerallee has come to an end. Copyright: Birgit Mantek
  • German spoken language

The opening of the Theaterhaus Gessnerallee in 1989 was a milestone for Zurich’s independent dance and theatre scene. Almost four decades later, the collective dance me to the end – eight dancers aged over 60 – explores how their bodies resonate with this venue and its history from a contemporary perspective. Beyond its local and individual context, this exploration extends into the history of the performing arts in Switzerland and sheds light on themes such as age, fragility, collective formation and tacit knowledge.

This multi-part research project has resulted in a space holding lived experience, physical and spatial memory, and documentary traces. The space will be accessible in the Südbühne of Gessnerallee. In addition, there will be a showing and two panel discussions, «Institutions in Transition» and «Movement in Artistic Practice 1989–2026», organised in collaboration with dance and theatre scholars Julia Wehren and Alexandra Portmann (SAPA, University of Bern).

Admission is free.

Accessibility information

  • Step-free access

  • Language: German spoken language

  • The group is called ‘dance me to the end’.

    The group consists of 8 dancers.

    They are over 60 years old.

    The Gessnerallee opened in Zurich in 1989.

    The opening was significant for dance and theatre.

    For the past 2 years, the group has been exploring the history of the Gessnerallee.

    They are researching its history.

    Using their bodies, too.

    This work has resulted in an exhibition space.

    There is also a performance.

    And two discussions.

    One discussion is called ‘Institutions in Transition’.

    This means: how institutions are changing.

    The other discussion is called ‘Movement in Artistic Practice 1989–2026’.

    This means: how art and dance have changed from 1989 to 2026.

  • Collectiv dance me to the end:
    Angelika Ächter, Jeanette Engler, Gisa Frank, Anna Huber, Tina Mantel, Angela Stöcklin, Katharina Vogel, Ivan Wolfe
    Guests:
    Julia Wehren, Alexandra Portmann, Birgit Mantek und Monica Klingler

  • The collective dance me to the end consists of eight professional dancers aged between 60 and 70 who, as individual artists, have long been shaping the Swiss and international contemporary dance scene. Through their work, they question prevailing concepts of the body and dance, foster empowerment for older people in dance, and carry out important pioneering work, including for younger generations of dancers. They have eight different approaches to dance aesthetics and, as a collective, are developing a shared practice that encompasses somatic practices, artistic research, improvisation, and choreography. Many of the skills they have developed through years of dance practice are relevant to society: creativity, flexibility, dealing with complexity and uncertainty, understanding and appreciation of diversity. Their work and research began in 2023 and can now be continued from 2026 onwards thanks to being accomplices of Tanzhaus Zürich and the two-year concept funding of the city of Zurich.

  • Concept funding Stadt Zürich Kultur, BAK Kulturerbe-Preis für Darstellende Künste 2026, Kompliz*innenschaft Tanzhaus Zürich, GGKZ, Migros Kulturprozent, Dr. A. Streuli Stiftung, Else van Sick Stiftung

Copyright: Birgit Mantek

Copyright: Birgit Mantek

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