urban bodies festival
The project Corpi Urbani/Urban Bodies consists of several performances - some of which are site specific productions - taking place in different areas of town such as streets, squares, shop windows, natural areas, historical palaces and museums. The main idea is to allow people to experience dance shows for free, and locate them in a familiar environment. A second goal is to explore the art form of contemporary dance, proposing it in a simple and direct way and encourage people to discover its sense of spontaneity and immediate appeal in unusual settings. The “special occasion” value around the project makes dance more accessible and persuade people to perceive their urban surroundings in a different way. Corpi Urbani is supposed to be a community experience, presented to the city and created for it.
Considering the significant changes that Genova has been going through recently, one aim of the project has also been to monitor transformations and connect to them. In Genova, in the last few years, new buildings have been erected, dull areas completely transformed, old palaces opened to innovative architectural improvements and new urban plans in transports and services have been accomplished. However, all these changes have been lacking of concrete ideas and projects. Corpi Urbani contributes to the urban development, bringing people to the new places, buildings and historical palaces or museums.
Artists invited to perform are generally selected amongst the most significant International Festivals of Dance and involve local choreographers as well. The festival wants to encourage exchange of knowledge and expertise as well as develop training, cooperation and new artistic projects.
Locations are chosen according to the artists’ performance. In some cases, challenging locations have been taken into account (such as aerial dance), considering at the same time their significance in terms of heritage, culture and social issues.