The Niguliste Museum will begin the dance series Dances of Life for Eternity, inspired by the Dance of Death
Under the leadership of the choreographer and director Teet Kask, a series of dance events will begin at the Niguliste Museum this spring, during which dance artists will reveal their visions of the Dance of Death, painted in the workshop of the Lübeck master Bernt Notke at the end of the 15th century. The artists will interpret the temporality of life and the culture of death through dance. The opening event of the series will take place in the Antonius Chapel of Niguliste on 6 May. The first performances will feature Maria Solei Järvet and Juulius Vaiksoo. The set was designed by the architect Ülar Mark.
Emphasising the transience of life and the omnipotence of death, the Dance of Death is the most internationally known work of art in Estonia, and directly addresses the contemporary audience. “The dance series Dances of Life for Eternity conceptually conveys the central motif of the painting, the content of the dance of death. Death is an integral part of life, but it does not have to be the end and can be the beginning of a new journey instead. We are all equal in the face of death and it invites everyone to dance, but it is only part of a larger journey. The performance invites us to think about time, the cyclical nature of life and the importance of the individual, intertwining the visual, sound and dance worlds,” explained Maria Solei Järvet, who dances in the first performances of the series.
The inspiring atmosphere of the Niguliste Museum is also a part of the production. In addition to the presence of the painting, the experience is enhanced by the touch of history under the high vaults and between the walls that “breathe” with memories. In this way, viewers are simultaneously in the present and in the middle of a timeless space, feeling part of a larger whole.
The performances of the dance series Dances of Life for Eternity will take place on 6, 13, 20 and 28 May, and 2 and 3 June. All performances start at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale at Piletilevi.
Maria Solei Järvet is an internationally active dancer and choreographer. She graduated from the Copenhagen Contemporary Dance School with a degree in dance art. She currently works both in Estonia and abroad, collaborating with international choreographers, collectives and institutions. This spring, her solo performance STRATA premiered at the Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava.
Juulius Vaiksoo is an Estonian dancer who recently graduated from the Icelandic University of the Arts with a degree in contemporary dance. He is now active in both the Estonian and Icelandic performing arts scenes, primarily as a dancer, but also as a dance event organiser.
Teet Kask is a renowned director, choreographer, visiting professor, mentor and curator. He has worked as a ballet artist at the Estonian National Opera, the Royal Stockholm Opera and the Norwegian National Opera. Kask has worked as a member of the management group and as the creative director at MUBA, and is currently a visiting professor at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Teet Kask has been the director or choreographer of more than 60 projects in Estonia and abroad.