Last week we welcomed two guests at HUIS Conny Janssen Danst. Elisa Zuppini worked as Artist in Residence in the studio on new work: a solo for Dario Tortorelli. We asked her some questions about the short residency.
What are you working on during this residency?
Elisa: ‘My name is Elisa Zuppini, and I’m a choreographer, originally from Italy. I live in Amsterdam since ten years, the place where I’ve been able to develop my work. Together with Dario Tortorelli we are currently working on a new piece, centred around a solo that I choreograph for Dario. We are in a very early stage of this creation. Previously we worked a few days on this in Jacuzzi in Amsterdam. Now at Conny Janssen Danst we’re in our second week of research. We started by learning my movement practice to Dario, and studying his way of responding to it. That inspired me to work on themes of architectural depth, temporal construction and the persistence of repetition. In HUIS Conny Janssen Danst we’re refining existing material while also generating new material.’
How is it for you to work in the studio of HUIS Conny Janssen Danst?
Elisa: ‘Dario was a former dancer at Conny Janssen Danst and currently teacher and choreographer in the house. So, there’s a strong connection and we feel very welcome and free to explore our ideas and process. Also we’re able to use all incredible facilities of the building. We are grateful we have this opportunity. Also, Conny Janssen Danst is an important spot in Rotterdam, so personally it gives me a great chance to further relate to Rotterdam’s artistic scene, a city I’ve been exploring increasingly since last year.’
Did you two work together before? What is your connection?
Elisa: ‘We initially met as colleagues when WhyNot invited us to choreograph for a project in Amsterdam in 2021/22. Since then, our professional relationship has evolved into an artistic friendship. Now, embarking on this great new venture, I’m choreographing a solo for Dario. The idea sparked after he watched my work, “Himalaya,” presented at Theatre Rotterdam last October. It’s also a generational encounter, as Dario, having worked in the field for a longer time and previously danced in major productions, is now returning to the role of dancer. We are both very excited about this exchange.’
