Description
Annie Hanauer proposes a hybrid work, using the experience of the prosthetic limb as a starting point. Starting with the Limbs brings four dancers into unprecedented choreographic variations, accompanied by wearable sculptures designed and crafted by designer Ghali Bensouda through digital morphogenesis and 3D printing. These structures serve a dual purpose: functioning both as costumes and scenographic elements, they anchor the bodies in the landscape in a way that is both poetic and organic.
Drawing from her own experiences and those of the four dancers—whether disabled or not—especially their relationships with limbs perceived as “non-normative,” Annie Hanauer creates unique choreographic self-portraits.
Each performer expresses their individuality while remaining in constant dialogue with the others, giving rise to powerful living tableaux. These unique corporeal landscapes redefine the boundaries between the body and its environment, offering a new perception of movement and identity.
Artist’s note
Inspired by the work of artist Mari Katayama, by my own experience with prosthetics and my ‘non-standard’ limbs, and by the many dancers I have met with ‘non-conforming’ limbs, I propose to begin our creation by examining the body’s limbs.
Mari Katayama interests me as an inspiration because of her punk approach to prosthetics and the way she constructs her self-portrait: in her work, she creates sewn objects based on her own hands and legs and chooses how to present herself in front of the camera. Her work is visually striking, sensual, beautiful, vulnerable, surreal, provocative, and powerful.
Self-portraiture is connected to ideas of authorship, permission, and consent, which are important to me in a creative process: it is essential that dancers, especially those who have faced disabling barriers, have a say in their movement and how they are presented in a performance.
Annie Hanauer
Scenography and 3D printing
The innovative aspect of the project is reflected not only in the choreography but also in the scenography and costumes, where the hybridization of bodies plays a central role. To achieve this, Annie Hanauer collaborates with artist Ghali Bensouda, who will design a unique “scenography-costume” for the project.
Tournée
2025
June 27 – 28 – 29 | Festival de Marseille (France)
Scène 55, Mougins (France)
November 19 – 20 | Théâtre National de Bretagne (France)
2026
September | Oriente Occidente Dance Festival, (Italy)
February | Holland Dance Festival (Holland)
Summer | Mercat de Les Flors (Spain)
Credits
Choreographer: Annie Hanauer
Dancers: Felix Tamm, Greta Sandon, Coralie Viudes, Sofia Valdiri ou Nadia Garrad
Choreographic Assistant: Anne-Gaëlle Thiriot and Andrew Graham
Musical Creation: Azizi Cole
Costumes-Scenography: Ghali Bensouda
Lighting Design and General Stage Management: Bastien Lagier
Sound technician: Jean Cochard
Artistic Direction of the Company: Andrew Graham
Production : Sonia Gaspard & IN’8 circle
Co-production: Festival de Marseille; Ballet National de Marseille; Scène 55; Mougins; Europe Beyond Access (Skånes Dansteater, Oriente Occidente Rovereto IT, Holland Dance Festival, Mercat de les Flors – Casa de la Dansa, CODA Oslo International Dance Festival, Culturgest Fundação Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Kampnagel Hamburg, Onassis Stegi, Project Arts Centre, and ZAMEK Culture Centre), co-funded by the European Union; EXTRA-ORDINAIRE: Théâtre National de Bretagne, Centre Dramatique National (Rennes), with the support of the Centre National pour la Création Adaptée and the Cercle Culture d’Un Esprit de Famille (Chœur à l’ouvrage fund, Haplotès fund, Milk For Good fund, Guillaume and Charlotte Paoli fund, Regnier fund for creation, Simones fund).
With the support of: DRAC Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur; Le Département – Bouches-du-Rhône; La Ville de Marseille; Cap Emploi
Sponsorship: Caisse des Dépôts; Fondation SNCF