Katja Visschers & Joelina Rietsche
Safety in Public Space

Through a collaboration of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Goethe-Institut Montreal and fabrik Potsdam – Internationales Zentrum für Tanz und Bewegungskunst, artists Katja Visschers and Joelina Rietsche have received a residency in the studios of Circuit-Est centre chorégraphique. This residency allows them to develop further their artistic relationship and explore new avenues of creative collaboration. Here, Katja and Joelina talk about their work and their experience in Montreal.
 

By The interview was conducted by Caroline Gagnon

Could you say something about your background, how did you come to dance?
Katja Visschers (KV): When I was twelve, I went to my first street dance class with some friends and was immediately captivated by the atmosphere. After that, I quickly started taking more and more classes, and a year later I joined the Juniors Company at the dance school. With the company, I performed regularly and competed in championships.

Joelina Rietsche (JR): I started dancing ballet and jazz early on in my small town. When I was about eleven, I wanted to explore other styles, so I traveled to the nearest big city to take hip-hop classes. Pretty soon, I was accepted into a crew that had just been formed, and together we went on to compete successfully in many competitions in Germany and, in some cases, abroad. That sparked my love for hip-hop, urban styles, and choreography, as well as my passion for dance in general.

Do you remember the moment when dancing became more than just a hobby?
KV: After graduating from high school, I began dance training, mainly because dance was the only career I could imagine for myself. I just wanted to keep dancing and get better. At my first internal audition for the program after half a year, however, I wasn’t selected for any project, which was a turning point for me: I realized how hard I have to work if I want to carve out a place for myself in the dance industry—and at the same time, just how ambitious I am about it.

JR: For me, that moment came relatively early. When I was about 14, I saw an article in a magazine featuring an interview with a professional dancer from the commercial dance scene, and she immediately became my role model. A few years later, two of my instructors moved away to begin dance training, which inspired me to follow the same path as soon as I finished school.

Is there an encounter, a performance, or a work that has had a lasting impact on your approach to dance?
KV: A documentary about Pina Bausch took me by surprise during my training. Her approach to movement, her courage to break with convention, and her ability to unsettle the audience inspired me. Through this, I learned to constantly reinvent myself as an artist and to trust my own movement language.

JR : For me, my first encounter with the contemporary dance scene at the beginning of my dance training was a turning point. I originally came from urban dance styles and the choreography scene, and the theatrical context in contemporary dance greatly broadened my horizons. Today, I’m also inspired by physical theater and narrative performances because they open up new possibilities for me as a creator.

You both have your roots in urban and street dance, and for many years you’ve also trained in commercial dance settings as well as in various choreography and show dance styles. How do these experiences influence your current approach, movement language, and artistic work?

KV: Above all, I bring my musicality, my love of music, and my passion for clear forms and lines. At the same time, training in various styles has given me a broader perspective on dance. The connections I’ve made in the urban and commercial dance scenes also allow me today to cast dancers from different styles in my pieces. This gives rise to new languages of movement and more opportunities to shape the authenticity of my work.

JR : I enjoy combining elements from urban dance styles with contemporary dance. For example, groove, a sense of rhythm, and precision. Through crew training, I’ve also learned to observe and replicate movements with great precision. All these different styles give me more tools today to develop my own dance language and aesthetic.

How do you start creating a choreography? With an image, a movement, a piece of music, or an idea?
KV: It can vary widely: an image, music, a social or personal topic. The starting point is always something that’s currently on my mind. I start by talking to the dancers about it and let them improvise. From these improvisations, I then develop sequences of movements, and that’s how a choreography takes shape.

JR : For me, ideas often arise from personal processes or themes that are on my mind during this current phase of my life and that I want to explore further or process through the creative process. Sometimes, however, it’s also a piece of music or something I observe in my surroundings that triggers an image in my mind. From there, a movement idea develops step by step, and eventually becomes a piece.

What were your expectations going into the residency program, and what has it offered you so far?
KV & JR: We began our residency with the goal of focusing on our project, finding new sources of inspiration, and being creative without any pressure. We draw our inspiration from the performances we see and the encounters we have. The relaxed atmosphere here in Montreal also contributes to this. We sense a certain warmth; it’s easy to strike up conversations with people and exchange ideas. For example, at Circuit-Est, the choreography center where we’re working, we were spontaneously invited to a rehearsal by a local artist. The depth of this artist’s work, her ability to let go of all inhibitions, and her authenticity touched us deeply. At another performance, we were fascinated by the musical arrangement, and that inspires us to further explore this aspect in our project.

We also take the opportunity to participate in classes and workshops with local artists. This physical work wonderfully complements the creative work we do in the studio.

You'll be leading a workshop toward the end of the residency. Can you tell us what participants can expect?
KV & JR :  Our workshop is titled Exploring Safety in Public Space. It is an inclusive workshop, open to everyone, regardless of gender or age. We will address issues related to perception, safety, and experiences in public spaces. Our goal is to create a space free of prejudice, where everyone feels welcome. No prior knowledge or skills are required: curiosity, an open mind, and an interest in movement are all you need. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with some of our working methods: movement, drawing, and writing. We hope to discuss how collective awareness and a shared sensitivity could help enhance safety in public spaces.

We're already looking forward to our exchange and to being creative together!