Voltage Control I

In the 1970’s Krisztina de Châtel became acquainted with the minimal music of composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich. She was also interested in the work of Dutch composers with a minimal approach such as Thom Willems, Warner van Es, Patricio Wang and Simeon ten Holt. For her first two choreographies she chose Glass. In combination with the music a sober dance language developed; esthetical, truly minimal dance.

From the start she included (visual) artists in her work. For Voltage Control I she invited lighting artist Menno Dieperink to work with her.

Menno Dieperink about Voltage Control I: ‘Even now I still remember her sketches: a rectangle with lines from back left to front right which intersected in the middle – everything was always symmetrical. I wanted to reflect that interplay of lines in the vertical plane, using elevated light paths and screens. She worked with independent visual artists and not with stage designers, because we brought her something different.’

Compositie voor twee dansers
premiere 20 January 1977, Shaffy Theater, Amsterdam
choreography Krisztina de Châtel
dance Krisztina de Châtel, Marijke Schiffers
music Philip Glass – Music with Changing Parts
stagedesign Menno Dieperink
light Carlus Koopman
costumes Marianne Strategier
photography Bob van Dantzig

Compositie voor drie dansers
premiere 20 January 1977, Shaffy Theater, Amsterdam
choreography Krisztina de Châtel
dance Krisztina de Châtel, Inte Koster, Marijke Schiffers
music Philip Glass – Music in Similar Motion
stagedesign Menno Dieperink
light Carlus Koopman
costumes Marianne Strategier