Thursday 7. December choreographer Lia Rodrigues will present her oeuvre. She will tell stories from her life as a choreographer and dance artists, as well as give the audience insight in her methods for creation, thematic interests, her community work and how she works for democratization of art.

The introduction is in English and lasts for about 30 minutes.

BIO:
Lia Rodrigues is a dancer/choreographer and Artistic Director of the Lia Rodrigues Dance Company that she founded in 1990, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The company has built a solid reputation and has been invited to perform its repertoire in important festivals and dance institutions internationally. Besides its artistic productions the company gives classes, conferences and workshops toward beginners and professional dancers.

Some of the actions taken by the company are to offer spaces for debate, make other individuals aware of questions relating to contemporary art, in addition to investing in the formation of new audiences.

The Company is based, since 2003, in the favela of Maré, one of the biggest slums in Rio de Janeiro, where the company develops an artistic and educational project.

It is a school, a training space. It is an unending process, which keeps on renewing itself. In a world concerned with ‘utility’, where everything has to have an immediate result and with lots of visibility, always for millions to consume and with this idea of success, it’s a challenge to work in long-term.

In Brazil, the performances are always for free or have low tickets prices.

The company proposes with its work to imagine and invent together new paths and new dreams. Together, the company, the Maré people whom we’re living with, our partners, the public.

For Lia Rodrigues to do art in Brazil is an ongoing process of affirmation, investment and resistance.