Grand Luxe Network
Introduced in 2015, “Grand Luxe” is a partnership of eight European organizations, each following their missions in dance development, that provide up-and-coming choreographers with guidance, support, and networking opportunities.
Photo: Flurin Bertschinger
The Gyre by tumbleweed (Angela Rabaglio and Micael Florentz)
The Grand Luxe Network makes best use of the experience and expertise of its industry-leading member organizations to build a support network that meets the specific needs of participating artists. It does so by providing educational resources, working spaces, networking opportunities, advisory support, and regular seminars on matters relating to professional development.
This network, unique on its field, renews the spirit of ‘coming together’ by creating new modes of interventions outside the traditional circuits of production and promotion.
Each year, the network partners put forward artistic teams with precise needs to which the network members can reply. A support program, defined in collaboration with the artists, is developed each year by the Grand Luxe network which provides concrete assistance by combining the capabilities and resources (workspaces, people’s expertise, technical resources, external viewpoints, administrative assistance, advice and support, training sessions) of the different partner structures beyond the traditional financial contributions of coproducing a project.
Its nine partner institutions – the Grand Studio in Brussels, the Centre Chorégraphique National – Ballet de Lorraine, the Ballet de l’Opéra national du Rhin – CCN de Mulhouse, PÔLE SUD – Centre de Développement Chorégraphique National de Strasbourg, the TROIS C-L – Centre de Création Chorégraphique du Luxembourg, the Freiburg Theater in Freiburg im Breisgau, L’Abri in Geneva, Teatro Municipal do Porto and the Onassis Stegi in Athens – have decided to pool their know-how and their teams to serve artistic projects from their territories, which require, at some point in their development, specific and adapted assistance.
Kick-Off – October 2021
The event took place over 2 days, allowing each choreographer to present their universe to the partners organizations and to the rest of the supporting artists of the year. During the two days the partners organize workshops and role-playing games that allow everyone to get to know each other. The artists gain expertise on the various ways to present themselves and their work and draw the benefits of valuable insights. A ‘slow dating’ evening is also organized where the artists explain their specific needs and expectations.
Platform – May 2022
A platform organized by the members of the Grand Luxe network, in the context of the Fête de la Danse de Genève, Switzerland.
May 13th and 14th at L’Abri – Genève.
For two days the artists presented their work and their projects: on-stage showcases or short presentation sessions in front of an audience comprising of both professionals and general audience.
TUMBLEWEED Cie. (Angela Rabaglio and Micael Florentz)
Supported by the Grand Studio in Brussels [BE]
Residency at Stegi, in March 12-21, 2022
The choreographic duo completed a 10-day long residency at Stegi’s dance studio, rehearsing on their new project, while they also had the chance to attend the performances of the 9ONC (Onassis New Choreographers Festival 9).
Simon Feltz
Supported by the CCN – Ballet De Lorraine [FR]
Residency at Stegi, in May 15-22, 2022
Simon Feltz has collaborated during his residency at Stegi with Mrs. Youli Zachariou for his new video-installation project, which involves seniors and focuses on the expression and image of the physical self, also taking into account what the memory imprints on the gesture and what the gesture brings in terms of meaning. Mrs. Youli Zachariou was for several years member of the group of 65+ amateur performers who participated in programs of the Educational department of Stegi.Akiko Hasegawa
Supported by PÔLE SUD – CDCN of Strasbourg [FR]
Residency at Stegi, in July 11-21, 2022
Akiko Hasegawa has completed her 10-day long residency at Stegi, working on her new dance/violin duet about the state of sadness. She has drawn inspiration by various traditional expressions of sadness, but also by Martha Graham’s “Lamentation” solo.
Konstantinos Papanikolaou in residency: Luxembourg, Brussels, Geneva, and Strasbourg.
Choreographer and dancer Konstantinos Papanikolaou – who appeared as part of the Onassis New Choreographers Festivals (ONC8 and ONC9) – took his place among a select group of artists set to benefit from the network’s professional support for the development and realization of their next projects.
Konstantinos, as Stegi’s supported choreographer, has completed three residency periods: in January and February 2022 in Luxembourg (at TROIS C-L) and Brussels (at Grand Studio), in May 2022 in Geneva (at L’Abri), in September 2022 he will carry out his last residency in Strasbourg (at PÔLE-SUD) always in the context of the development of his artistic research, completing the period of support in the Grand Luxe network for the season 2021-22.
