Choreography: Saïdo Lehlouh / Artistic collaboration: Johanna Faye / Sound design: Kevin Haccoun / Interpretation: Ahmet Mete Balyan, Alanna Reimpell, Bravo Alexis Lemma, Angelina Gekman, Anna Goetz, Anne Schwarzelt, Anoushka Kotak, Anwen S. Ortiz, Aurora Brocchi, Autumn Scott, Ayaka Sakai, Aybike İpekçi, Babbey Akonjang, Bahar Gökten, Batteux, Begüm Çalık, Benson A'Kuyie, Cami Badirou, Catia Gatelli, Celine Celeesi, Cristina Negucioiu, Daeun Park, Daniel Hlavatý, Deborah Dalla Valle, Diego de la Rosa, Duru Varol, Edwin Sánchez, Elena Garau, Eloy Cojal, Eva Günther, Ezgilu Frances Odunsi, Francesca “Freshca” Waehneldt, Giselle Chavannes, Gissauro Halil, İbrahim Aygün, Hélène Esmel, Hila Meckier, Isabel Biskupek, Jerson Diasonama, Judith Kohlen, Karina Villavicencio, Kate Slezak, Katharina Sonnberg, Kilian Löderbusch, Kofie Da Vibe, Kristina Kunn, Kristoffer Sturm, Laura Gary, Lauren Scott, Lea Xiaziqi Huang, Lena Röttger, Liadain Herriott, Lilly Vanselow, Lina Mytiai Lofi, Louis Becker, Lulia Ghirmay, Maiia Selezneva, María Paz Cortez, Mario Antonio Tuccillo, Martin Ixora, Mika Albrink, Miwa Shibata, Nicole Kufeld, Olade Roland Rodolpho Sagbo, Priyanka J. Rao, Roméo Clément-Seiwert, Row Sarkela-Bassett, Saraa Khaan, Selina Ghirmay, Svenja Grüttner, Tatiana Fecioru, Tomoya Kawamura, Tran Xuan Nam, Tuka Tajali-Awal, Ulrik Ørsnes Jansen, Willow Bazima, Yasmine Calasse, Yeliz Pazar, Yu-Yuan Huang, Zoi Kourkouraidou
Saïdo Lehlouh transforms public space into a stage for collective energy. Drawing on hip hop and neighboring communities’ dance, he creates a choreographic intervention that celebrates encounter, diversity and the power of marginalised dance forms.
The French choreographer and dancer Saïdo Lehlouh draws inspiration from historical references: On the streets of Paris during the Belle Époque, a marginalised, often stigmatised community emerged: the so-called “Apaches Parisiens” – a term that first appeared in a newspaper article and was subsequently adopted by the group itself. Drawing on these events around 1900, Lehlouh developed the dance performance “Apaches”.
Around 70 movers from Berlin, brought together via an open call, will join 20 dancers in workshops and each one teach one sessions to explore various movement languages such as hip hop and neighboring dance styles, before bringing these to Mehringplatz as a choreographic intervention. The participants act not only as individuals, but as part of a social body. In this way, they place group dynamics, resistance and belonging at the centre. Through authentic solos, powerful duets and group choreographies, it becomes clear just how much Lehlouh’s aesthetic signature is shaped by the power of the collective and his curiosity about new forms of dance. “Apaches” pays tribute to non-academic dance styles that have long been excluded from the stages of high culture and continue to fight for visibility, resources and recognition. At the same time, the work stands for exchange, networking and the celebration of the moment as well as improvisation.
The work has been presented since 2018 in various unconventional venues with artistic teams of varying sizes and is conceived as an ongoing exploration of spontaneity and improvisation within sophisticated artistic forms of expression. As part of “Berlin bleibt! #5”, Lehlouh is developing his latest version of “Apaches” for Mehringplatz together with a team of over 90 people.
Saïdo Lehlouh made a name for himself in the 2000s as a member of the Bad Trip Crew in B-boying. In his choreographies, he focuses on self-taught and self-determined protagonists and explores the boundaries between stage and audience. Together with Johanna Faye, he founded the Black Sheep Company and is also part of the management team at the Centre chorégraphique national de Rennes et de Bretagne, the FAIR-E collective.
Team
Dates
- Current
- Past
Further Information
Visitor note
Lavinia Vago and Saïdo Lehlouh in conversation with Petra Poelzl – read the interview on HAU3000
Credits
A creation of Cie Black Sheep; Production: Garde Robe; Delegated production: CCNRB. The Centre chorégraphique national de Rennes et de Bretagne, directed by the collective FAIR-E, is an association subsidized by the Ministry of Culture (Direction régionale des Affaires culturelles / Brittany), the City of Rennes, the Regional Council of Brittany and the Departmental Council of Ille-et-Vilaine. With the support of Houdremont, scène conventionnée de la Courneuve and Arcadi Île-de-France.
Part of “Berlin bleibt #5”, a festival by HAU Hebbel am Ufer. Funded by: Hauptstadtkulturfonds.
