ODE TO THE ATTEMPT
ODE TO THE ATTEMPT (a solo for meself)
ODE TO THE ATTEMPT is a new solo that Martens created for himself. After creating some almost dogmatic pieces as THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER and SWEAT BABY SWEAT, this new solo is a freeplace for Martens
to fool around. The result is a collage-like self-portrait laying bare choreographic and other choices and his way of working and living. Authenticity, manipulation, coolness, perfectionism, humor and melancholy form the extremes between which Martens moves, wondering wether he is part of the new generation.
In this solo Martens gives an insight into his way of working and living. He is standing in his most simplicity in front of you, inviting you to have a look in his head and computer.
”WORKOUTS FOR THE MIND, DRESSED IN CHEEKY HUMOR” THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 2014
JAN MARTENS about ODE TO THE ATTEMPT
To be alone on stage is after creating a group work for 8 dancers like coming home. But at the same time it stays a fight with yourself, because that is what creating art is about: having something to say, and doubting the next day wether what you say is of any importance to any one.
To stamp against shins, but at the same time wanting to be accepted. Choose between radicality or not.
Between hitting or giving warmth.
Between taking space or leaving the space for somebody else. Between being hermetic or to communicate.
and to research wether it all is possible at once.
After all these almost dogmatic pieces I created, I had enough of consistency. That’s why this solo is all over the place. In that sense it has become very consistent again. Haha.
Also I wanted to get back to essence again. Why we like to dance; the simplest form of making a dance performance: putting on a song and dance to that.
By executing light and music myself, I have more possibility to play with timing, with the order of the scenes, or even with adding and skipping scenes.
Every night is in that sense unique. It is a constant communication with the audience, and trying to get my needs and those of the audience together.
The computer is helping me with that. I am part of a generation for who coputer and smartphone have become almost part of the body, something which is there at hand to give you information, knowledge, images. To promote yourself as well.
As was written in a column we are in the age of the individual. Narcism galore.
ROSS DOUTHAT in the NEW YORK TIMES, march 15 2014:
“In the future, it seems, there will be only one “ism” — Individualism — and its rule will never end. As for religion, it shall decline; as for marriage, it shall be postponed; as for ideologies, they shall be rejected; as for patriotism, it shall be abandoned; as for strangers, they shall be distrusted.
Only pot, selfies and Facebook will abide.”
CREDITS
PREMIÈRE: 26 March 2014, Festival Cement ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NL)
By and with: Jan Martens
Time: 30 minuten
Production: GRIP
International bookings: A Propic / Line Rousseau en Marion Gauvent
Thanks to: Jeroen Bosch, Kristin de Groot, Michel Spang, Joris van Oosterwijk en alle Bproject Partners (co-financiering door de Europese Commissie): Jheronimus Bosch 500 (NL), Comune di Bassano del Grappa (IT), Dance Umbrella London (UK), La Briqueterie/CDC du Val de Marne (FR), D.ID Dance Identity (AT), Festival Cement (NL) en Dansateliers Rotterdam (NL)
For pressmap, financial and technial conditions please contact Line Rousseau or Marion Gauvent
Agenda 18/19
| 15-11-18 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT | REIMS | LE MANEGE | FR | |
| 22-03-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT | STRASBOURG | POLE SUD | FR | |
| 23-03-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT | STRASBOURG | POLE SUD | FR | |
| 02/05-04-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT | TOULOUSE | THEATRE GARONNE | FR | TBC |
| 15-04-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT | EINDHOVEN | PARKTHEATER | NL | |
| 28-04-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT | DEN HAAG | KORZO | NL | |
| 21-02-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT & BIS | MONTREAL | USINE C | CA | |
| 22-02-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT & BIS | MONTREAL | USINE C | CA | |
| 23-02-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT & BIS | MONTREAL | USINE C | CA | |
| 06-05-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT + SWEAT BABY SWEAT | PARIS | THEATRE DE LA VILLE | FR | |
| 07-05-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT + SWEAT BABY SWEAT | PARIS | THEATRE DE LA VILLE | FR | |
| 09-05-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT + SWEAT BABY SWEAT | PARIS | THEATRE DE LA VILLE | FR | |
| 10-05-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT + SWEAT BABY SWEAT | PARIS | THEATRE DE LA VILLE | FR | |
| 11-05-19 | ODE TO THE ATTEMPT + SWEAT BABY SWEAT | PARIS | THEATRE DE LA VILLE | FR |
2018
26 January 2018 30/30 – les Marche de l’été BORDEAUX FR
27 January 2018 30/30 – les Marche de l’été BORDEAUX FR
26 March 2018 le grand bain / l’oiseau mouche ROUBAIX FR*
27 March 2018 le grand bain / l’oiseau mouche ROUBAIX FR
20 April 2018 south east dance BRIGHTON UK
2017
25 March 2017 gc de kluize OOSTERZELE BE
11 April 2017 boca LISSABON PT (premiere PT)
12 April 2017 boca LISSABON PT
27 April 2017 cc ter vesten BEVEREN BE*
29 April 2017 c-mine GENK BE*
06 may 2017 ainsi MAASTRICHT NL
19 may 2017 schouwburg ARNHEM NL*
30 may 2017 interplay 17 / mosaico danza TORINO IT
03 June 2017 antwerpse kleppers / bourla schouwburg ANTWERP BE*
06 June 2017 theatre de la ville / les abbesses PARIS FR
07 June 2017 theatre de la ville / les abbesses PARIS FR
08 June 2017 theatre de la ville / les abbesses PARIS FR
09 June 2017 theatre de la ville / les abbesses PARIS FR
2016
08 January 2016 frascati AMSTERDAM NL
09 January 2016 frascati AMSTERDAM NL
19 January 2016 festival actoral MONTPELLIER FR
27 February 2016 ccbe BERCHEM BE
30 June 2016 greenwich dance LONDON UK (premiere UK)
28 October 2016 desingel ANTWERP BE
09 November 2016 euroscene leipzig LEIPZIG DE
10 November 2016 euroscene leipzig LEIPZIG DE
2015
17 January 2015 tanzhaus nrw DÜSSELDORF DE (premiere DE)
05 March 2015 printemps de sévelins LAUSANNE CH (premiere CH)
29 March 2015 biennale de la danse du VAL-DE-MARCHNE FR (premiere FR)
11 April 2015 motel mozaique / rotterdamse schouwburg ROTTERDAM NL
25 April 2015 bouge b / desingel ANTWERP BE
16 may 2015 dansweek / rotterdamse schouwburg ROTTERDAM NL
28 may 2015 spring festival / theater kikker UTRECHT NL
29 may 2015 spring festival / theater kikker UTRECHT NL
23 September 2015 stukstart LEUVEN BE
24 September 2015 stukstart LEUVEN BE
25 September 2015 stukstart LEUVEN BE
27 September 2015 actoral festival / ballet nationale de Marchseille MARCHSEILLE FR
01 October 2015 schouwburg TILBURG NL
02 October 2015 moving meetings nederlandse dansdagen MAASTRICHT NL
03 October 2015 nederlandse dansdagen MAASTRICHT NL
22 October 2015 nac OTTAWA CA (premiere CA)
23 October 2015 nac OTTAWA CA
24 October 2015 nac OTTAWA CA
02 November 2015 tanz in bern BERN CH
03 November 2015 tanz in bern BERN CH
07 November 2015 romaeuropa ROME IT (premiere IT)
28 November 2015 beursschouwburg BRUSSELS BE
2014
26 March 2014 festival cement ‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH NL (premiere NL)
27 March 2014 festival cement ‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH NL
10 may 2014 tanztage burgenland PINKAFELD AU (premiere AU)
05 June 2014 queer ZAGREB HR (première HR)
20 June 2014 seasoning united-c EINDHOVEN NL
26 September 2014 queer new york / abrons arts center NEW YORK US (premiere US)
06 November 2014 dansehallerne COPENHAGEN DK (premiere DK)
03 December 2014 campo GHENT BE (premiere BE)
04 December 2014 campo GHENT BE