Dear List, I'm forwarding a brief message to you from William Forsythe and the Ballett Frankfurt. There has been a very serious and very nasty political battle going on recently in the Frankfurt press and local government that is threatening to close down the company. As most of you on this list probably know, Forsythe is not only one of the world's most innovative choreographers but he also consistently uses film, video, digital music, and interactive computer technology in performance with truly inspiring results. Forsythe's contribution to the field of dance technology has long been a vital topic of conversation on this list. (Posts from the past week alone mention Forsythe's use of DAT-time cueing during perfomances and discuss Michael Klien's piece, Duplex, which was created at the Ballett Frankfurt with two of the dancers in the company.) Most are probably familiar with Forsythe's interactive CD-ROM, "Improvisation Technologies: A Tool for the Analytical Dance Eye" published by the Center for Art and Media Technology (ZKM) in Karlsruhe. Please see the Ballett Frankfurt website for more information on the company and individual pieces in the repertoire: http://www.frankfurt-ballett.de/frame.html If the Ballett Frankfurt is shut down by conservative political forces and replaced by a traditional company performing 19th century ballets with painted backdrops and tutus it will be a very severe blow to the dance-tech community. If any of you would be willing to express your support by writing an email or letter the effort would be very greatly appreciated. A website has just been set up where complaint forms can be filled out and sent directly to the mayor of Frankfurt, Petra Roth: http://www.sign.de/forsythe/ Please forward this message to those you know who would like to see the work of William Forsythe and the Ballett Frankfurt continue in the future. Thank you very much, Rebecca Groves Alexander von Humboldt German Chancellor Scholar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friends, The politicians of the city of Frankfurt are about to close the Ballett Frankfurt. They want to have classical story ballets. I'm so dumbfounded I don't know what to think or feel. Spread the word please and have people send letters if possible, it's very important. Thanks so much. Bill Forsythe Thom Willems Ballett Frankfurt UnterMain Anlage 11 60311 Frankfurt am Main Germany Tel. +4969 - 212.37.180 Fax +4969 - 212.37.177 email: vera.battis@stadt-frankfurt.de
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