Cobra Blonde

Reut Shemesh

COBRA BLONDE crosses an apparent boundary between two worlds of expression that rarely intersect: traditional German guard dancing and contemporary art. Choreographer Reut Shemesh focuses on the manifestation of gender roles and female representation during traditional carnival celebrations.

Between the approach prevalent in contemporary dance of emphasizing individuality and the power of community from which the dance guard draws its strength, an unusual aesthetic emerges, but also a political force field. With COBRA BLONDE, Reut Shemesh draws attention to the longing for the representation of an authentic identity – if such a thing can even exist.

The process began in 2018 as a research project under the working title WITNESS, at the invitation of tanzhaus nrw Düsseldorf. COBRA BLONDE was nominated for the Cologne Dance Theater Prize 2021.

Choreography, Research, Concept, Photography: Reut Shemesh. Choreography: Reut Shemesh in collaboration with Ulla Gerling. Artistic Assistance: Ele Rose-Krosch. Dance: Lisa Aydin, Laura Bremicker, Katharina Brink, Constanze Fischer, Claudia Hinkel, Carmen Meier, Ele Rose-Krosch, Emily Rose, Sarah Pullich, Janina Schentek, Franziska Simandi. Music: Simon Bauer. Stage, Light: Ronni Shendar. Dramaturgy: Matthias Quabbe. Concept Development: Daniel Rademacher. Management: Sabina Stücker. Financial Dramaturgy: Béla Bisom transmissions.
Uraufführung: 09.04.2021 tanzhaus nrw Düsseldorf

A production by Reut Shemesh, co-produced by tanzhaus nrw and Theater im Pumpenhaus Münster, in cooperation with the Tanzgarde der Karnevalsfreunde der katholischen Jugend Düsseldorf, supported by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia within the framework of conceptual support and top-level funding, Kulturamt der Stadt Köln, Kunststiftung NRW, Fonds Darstellende Künste, KunstSalon Stiftung / Step Up. Supported by iDAS NRW and TanzFaktur Köln.

Foto: Reut Shemesh

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