The 18th International Festival of Contemporary Dance #WeHumans, held in Venice from 18 July to 3 August 2024, honours two extraordinary talents in the world of dance. Italian choreographer Cristina Caprioli and choreographer and dancer Trajal Harrell, both dear friends of ImPulsTanz for many years, were presented with prestigious awards, highlighting their groundbreaking contributions to the art form.
Trajal Harrell was awarded the prestigious Silver Lion, a testament to his innovative approach that seamlessly merges post-modern dance, New York voguing, and Japanese Butoh. Renowned for defying chronological, geographical, and cultural boundaries, Harrell has earned acclaim as a “true original” whose work ignites rich dialogues between diverse artistic traditions. Artistic Director of the Dance Department at the Biennale Wayne McGregor lauds Harrell’s creations as “sensitive, hybrid, and joyful objects, reflecting extensive research and a mesmerizing fusion of genres and emotions”. With this award, Harrell continues to push the boundaries of contemporary dance, captivating audiences worldwide with his unique vision and unparalleled artistry.
In parallel, Italian choreographer Cristina Caprioli was bestowed with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, celebrating her pioneering contributions to the field. Based in Sweden, Caprioli has disrupted linguistic and perceptive conventions of dance with precision and complexity. McGregor praises Caprioli’s choreography for its ability to challenge normative formats within the field, offering captivating performances that balance rigorous conceptual research with engaging embodied experiences. Caprioli’s commitment to the advancement of contemporary dance is highlighted, inspiring future generations of artists to push the boundaries of artistic expression, so McGregor.
We congratulate those two from the bottom of our hearts.
