from 11 June
to 14 June

Villa Heleneum, Castagnola
Free

The intensive performance workshop led by artist and choreographer Maria Hassabi is aimed at professional contemporary dancers with a strong technical background that are willing and have a desire to work with decelerated movements, stillness and precision. All ages and gender are welcome. The selected participants will have to commit to the entire workshop, with no absences. 
The workshop will end with a final performance open to the public.

An artist and choreographer, she works with performance, installation, sculpture, photography and video. Since the early 2000s she has developed a unique artistic practice based on the relationship between the live body, the still image, and the sculptural object. Her works reflect on concepts of time and the human figure, while employing a variety of media to emphasise the complexity of formal organisation. Solo exhibitions and presentations include Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (2023); LUMA Arles (2022); OGR, Turin (2022); Secession, Vienna (2021); K20, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf (2017-18); Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (2017); Museum of Modern Art, New York (2016). Her works have also been featured in group exhibitions and festivals such as the FRONT Triennial, Cleveland (2022); Performa, New York (2019, 2013, 2009); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2018); Venice Biennale (2013). Among the numerous awards, the 2019 Performa Malcolm McClaren Award; 2016 “Bessie” Award; 2015 Herb Alpert Award; 2012 President’s Award from LMCC; 2011 Guggenheim Fellowship; 2009 Foundation for Contemporary Arts

Interested dancers are requested to apply only if they are available on all the dates and at the times indicated:

  • Tuesday June 11th (9 am-12 pm / 1 pm-5 pm)
  • Wednesday June 12th (9 am-12 pm / 1 pm-5 pm, LAC Lugano Sala 3)
  • Thursday June 13th (9 am-12 pm / 1 pm-5 pm)
  • Friday June 14th (9 am - 2 pm / 4 pm Public Performance)

Application by selection. Please send the following materials no later than May 12th, 2024 to lac.edu@lugano.ch:

  • CV or Bio
  • Two recent photographs (one full-length and one close-up)
  • 2-3 min video (from a performance or alone in the studio)
  • The selected participants will be notified by email from mid-May 2024
  • The collection and processing of personal data will be used exclusively for the specific process and no further processing will be carried out after the completion of this process

Villa Heleneum | Foto: Archivio storico Città di Lugano, fondo V. Vicari