histoire(s)

As much a researcher as a choreographer, Olga de Soto relentlessly explores what leaves a mark in dance and beyond. In 2002 Culturgest, in Lisbon invited her to reflect upon the now legendary work that arose from an argument by Jean Cocteau and was performed by Jean Babilée and Nathalie Philippart.« How to pay homage to a work that I have not really seen? » wrote the artist in her journal. The idea gained momentum, the endeavour bore fruit. From the investigation into the première’s audience and performers arose the work histoire(s) – in May 2004 at the Kunstenfestivaldesarts. Today, 80 years after The Young Man and Death first came to life, the way in which memories are filtered, the persistence of emotions and the impregnation of the spirit by an art that is described as ephemeral – these all remain pressing questions live issues. By condensing the power of the archive with that of story-telling, this revival of histoire(s) reactivates the power of traces.