http://www.zoo-thomashauert.be/

ZOO was founded in 1998 by the Swiss dancer and choreographer Thomas Hauert and is based in Brussels. He created ZOO’s debut production Cows in Space together with four dancer friends from the Rotterdam Dance Academy and the dance company Rosas (Mark Lorimer, Sara Ludi, Mat Voorter and Samantha van Wissen).

Although ZOO primarily presents itself as a collective, its artistic director Thomas Hauert (b. 1967) is the key figure. The majority of ZOO’s creations are performed by the same cast. In 2003, dancers Martin Kilvady and Chrysa Parkinson joined the company, followed by Zoë Poluch in 2007. And for You’ve changed (2010), Thomas Hauert will also be working with Fábian Barba, Liz Kinoshita, Albert Quesada, Gabriel Schenker and Theodossia Sthati. ZOO uses a changing array of artists, but at the same time is also developing a long-term association with several set and lighting designers, musicians and stylists.

ZOO’s work takes as its primary starting point a far-ranging investigation into movement. Spurred on by Thomas Hauert, the dancers distance themselves from their bodies’ normal movement patterns. In a spirit of playful curiosity, they explore as many different forms, rhythms, characteristics and relations to space as possible, in addition to the many forces which act upon them.

Improvisation is one of ZOO’s foremost techniques for exploring the world of movement. At the same time, it is a useful instrument for freeing every facet of the body from the restrictions of the mind. However, Thomas Hauert’s improvisation is not completely free. Instead, he develops ‘guided improvisations’ in which the dancers have to deal with assignments, rules and impulses which are intended to break through their automatic reflexes. In this way, the dancers succeed in performing complex movements which contain so many parameters that it is impossible to repeat or describe them.

ZOO’s productions transcend the level of the individual dancer. They are group projects based upon the ‘organism’ which the dancers collectively form. Whereas the exploration of the individual body leads to a multiplicity of forms of expression, group work creates coherence, communication and solidarity.

Thomas Hauert coordinates the movements of the dancers on the basis of temporal and spatial parameters. Playing on factors such as neutral positions, distances moved and speed, these complex organisational systems create tensions between the dancers which are so complex that the spectator is unable to grasp them.

ZOO performed on numerous international stages from the very start, ranging from New York to Seoul and Helsinki to Maputo. In Belgium, ZOO has performed at over 20 venues of various sizes, including STUK, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Concertgebouw Bruges, Charleroi/Danses and of course the Kaaitheater, which has always fully supported the company.

Thomas Hauert has developed internationally renowned training methods. In addition to his loyal cooperation with the P.A.R.T.S. dance school (Brussels), he also regularly gives workshops throughout the world.