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