Femke Gyselinck / GRIP  & i.c.w. Lander Gyselinck 

“Rhythm is a soul’s companion” (Snap!) 

Rhythm connects us inextricably to the world. It is everywhere – in our steps, in our language, in our emotions, in life itself. Since ancient times, when it served as a mnemonic aid for reciting poetry, rhythm has been used to bring people together: from the chanting of monks to a folk dance cadence. 

For her new creation, Femke Gyselinck forges family ties with brother and musician Lander Gyselinck. They once created a duet – the 2016 show Flamer – within which they reversed roles: with Femke as drummer and Lander as dancer. This time they invite seven dancers and four musicians on stage and they each set the rhythm for their own discipline. At a time when dance and culture are under pressure they make a bold statement committing to a group creation: ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ 

In this performance, rhythm is much more than just a component of the music. It is the foundation on which music and dance come together. The patterns of sounds and silences aid in remembering and singing, playing, or drumming in a group. And they make dancing possible. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT AND THE COLLABORATION 

‘Rhythm is a soul’s companion’ (Snap!)
Rhythm connects us to the world. It plays a role in listening, in language, in understanding speech in noisy places, in walking and even in our feelings for each other.
We experience the rhythmic changes of the seasons and of life itself.
Since ancient times – when rhythm, in the reciting of poetic works, served a memory function – it has been used throughout time to bring members of a society together. Think, for instance, of the chanting of a religious order or the cadences of military ranks.
In short: rhythm is much more than just a part of music.
Rhythm is our starting point for this performance, which brings together music and dance.
The repetitive sounds and silences that form rhythmic patterns help us remember and reproduce music and they facilitate group singing, playing or drumming. And they make dancing possible. 

How it began
Beyond their shared genes, siblings Lander and Femke Gyselinck share a deep fascination with and passion for each other’s professions. He is a drummer, she is a dancer. For the creation of their first joint performance, Flamer (2016), they decided on a professional exchange.
In Flamer, inspired by a song by Jennifer Lopez – another shared fascination – they created a dance performance with live music in which they danced and drummed together. 

CREDITS

For more information, press map, riders and financial conditions please contact Line Rousseau or Marion Gauvent