Tanz! Heilbronn: Void von Ultima Vez Company (BE)

In the organizer's words:

With a new work by the great Belgian dance revolutionary Wim Vandekeybus and his outstanding company Ultima Vez, Tanz! Heilbronn 2025 ends on Saturday and Sunday in the Grosses Haus. In "Void", Wim Vandekeybus presents a world in which outsiders - those who live in their own "bubble" or "void" and deviate from social norms - take center stage. Through a minimalist set, contemporary choreography and the interplay of sound and silence, "Void" invites the audience to engage with deeper, thought-provoking questions about individuality and difference.

"Void" emphasizes that the stage is a space where the usual labels of normal or abnormal dissolve and even overturn societal norms. Vandekeybus emphasizes that the stage is not a place for realistic portrayals of life, but a space where extreme and often challenging individual experiences can be explored: "It's about people who don't follow the expected path, who deviate in fascinating ways." Despite their differences, the characters coexist harmoniously and offer an optimistic perspective on individuality, where even in moments of conflict, respect and cooperation prevail over aggression.

"Void" is not a reflection of reality, but an invitation to the audience to engage with their own imagination. "People need to explore what these characters could be," says Vandekeybus. He believes that everyone has an element of the "abnormal" within them and that these figures embody this universal aspect. "Every older person was once a teenager, and every obsessive person has experienced rebellion. It's fascinating to uncover these narratives."

The collaboration with young Belgian composer Arthur Brouns adds depth to the piece, with the music setting a unique tone that emphasizes both connection and loneliness. "I provide an initial playlist and general ideas, and Arthur translates them into something extraordinary," Vandekeybus explains. In addition to his original compositions, the score will include pieces by Lander Gyselinck and elements of New York jazz, merging the genres into a coherent soundscape.

Wim Vandekeybus (1963) is a choreographer, dancer, filmmaker and photographer. He founded his dance company Ultima Vez in the mid-eighties. His first performance What the body does not remember (1987) was a remarkable artistic debut. The performance was awarded a Bessie, a prize awarded for groundbreaking works. His second piece Les porteuses de mauvaises nouvelles (1989) was also awarded this prize. With his unique style, Vandekeybus has set milestones in the development of contemporary dance with his performances at home and abroad in recent decades.

Wim Vandekeybus about "Void":
"Each character in Void sees the world from their own perspective, and through this we explore broader social themes. It's about delving into the complicated inner worlds of these characters, empathizing with their loneliness and understanding their struggles. Society often forces us to follow a fine line of normality and label anything that deviates as abnormal. However, the unconscious, the unpredictable aspects of our work, are crucial. This creation celebrates these outcast characters and the rare access others have to their inner worlds".