Threatened closure of Forsythe's Ballett Frankfurt

[Yukihiko Yoshida]

Hello from TOKYO

I was surprised at recieving this message.

Best Wishes,

Yukihiko 

Yukihiko YOSHIDA

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> 
> I'm forwarding a brief message to you from William Forsythe and 
> the Ballett Frankfurt.  There has been a very serious and very nasty 
> political battle going on recently in the Frankfurt press and local 
> government that is threatening to close down the company. 
> 
> As most of you on this list probably know, Forsythe is not only one 
> of the world's most innovative choreographers but he also 
> consistently uses film, video, digital music, and interactive 
> computer technology in performance with truly inspiring results. 
> Forsythe's contribution to the field of dance technology has long 
> been a vital topic of conversation on this list. (Posts from the past 
> week alone mention Forsythe's use of DAT-time cueing during 
> perfomances and discuss Michael Klien's piece, Duplex, which 
> was created at the Ballett Frankfurt with two of the dancers in the 
> company.)  Most are probably familiar with Forsythe's interactive 
> CD-ROM, "Improvisation Technologies: A Tool for the Analytical 
> Dance Eye" published by the Center for Art and Media Technology 
> (ZKM) in Karlsruhe. Please see the Ballett Frankfurt website for 
> more information on the company and individual pieces in the 
> repertoire:
> 
> http://www.frankfurt-ballett.de/frame.html
> 
> If the Ballett Frankfurt is shut down by conservative political forces 
> and replaced by a traditional company performing 19th century 
> ballets with painted backdrops and tutus it will be a very severe 
> blow to the dance-tech community. If any of you would be willing to 
> express your support by writing an email or letter the effort would 
> be very greatly appreciated. A website has just been set up where 
> complaint forms can be filled out and sent directly to the mayor of 
> Frankfurt, Petra Roth:   
> 
> http://www.sign.de/forsythe/
> 
> Please forward this message to those you know who would like to 
> see the work of William Forsythe and the Ballett Frankfurt continue 
> in the future. 
> 
> Thank you very much,
> Rebecca Groves
> Alexander von Humboldt German Chancellor Scholar
> 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> 
> Friends,
> The politicians of the city of Frankfurt are about to close the Ballett 
> Frankfurt.
> They want to have classical story ballets.
> I'm so dumbfounded I don't know what to think or feel.
> Spread the word please and have people send letters if possible, 
> it's very important. 
> 
> Thanks so much.
> 
> Bill Forsythe
> Thom Willems
> 
> Ballett Frankfurt
> UnterMain Anlage 11
> 60311 Frankfurt am Main
> Germany
> 
> Tel. +4969 - 212.37.180
> Fax +4969 - 212.37.177
> email: vera.battis at stadt-frankfurt.de
> 



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