Since his studies at the SNDO Amsterdam, Martin Nachbar has regarded Simone Forti as among the most significant protagonists of contemporary dance. Her work Sleep Walkers (aka Zoo Mantras), considered a signature piece of modern animal choreography, constitutes a foundational reference point for his research concerning the human-animal-relation. Due to her esteem of his Animal Dances, Simone Forti has conferred the piece to Nachbar, who has since studied it in intense exchange with Forti herself as well as in collaboration with French dancer Claire Filmon, long-term acquaintance and collaborator of Forti.

The work was originally developed in Rome in 1968. Spending significant amounts of time observing animals, Forti selected four species for her choreography: the flamingo, the ice bear, sea algae and water striders. This new version, which Forti now calls Zoo Mantras (aka Sleep Walkers),consists of a sculptural-choreographic positing of the piece in a sequence of two solos and – as a world premiere – as a duet. It will finally be possible for German audiences to see this work, so seminal to dance history.

TIERFORME/L/N PROGRAMME OF THE DAY - SEPTEMBER 29

17.00 TANZSCOUT-INTRODUCTION Animal Dances and Zoo Mantras (aka Sleep Walkers)

18.30 Martin Nachbar ANIMAL DANCES

20.30 Simone Forti ZOO MANTRAS (AKA SLEEPWALKERS)

after performances FILM PRESENTATION ZOO MANTRAS (AKA SLEEPWALKERS)

by Simone Forti and ARTIST TALK with Claire Filmon, Sigrid Gareis and Martin Nachbar 

TIERFORME/L/N PROGRAMME OF THE DAY - SEPTEMBER 30

18.30 OPEN LAB | Free entry

20.30 Simone Forti ZOO MANTRAS (AKA SLEEPWALKERS) + 

STRIDING CRAWLING (double bill)

CHOREOGRAPHY, ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE Simone Forti DANCE Claire Filmon, Martin Nachbar LIGHT Emese Csornai

Tierforme/l/n is sponsored by TANZFONDS ERBE – an initiative of Kulturstiftung des Bundes. 

The Tanzscout-Introduction for Animal Dances and Zoo Mantras (aka Sleep Walkers) is sponsored by mapping dance.

PhOTO © Jason Underhill