mehr als genug

"mehr als genug" has become one of Austrian choreographer Doris Uhlich’s classic pieces and still lost nothing of its contemporary relevance. The spotlight artist of the Tanzfestival Rhein-Main will be performing the piece, which first premiered in 2009, at this year’s festival herself. In it, Uhlich – who is often described as a “corpulent dancer” by journalists – asks herself and a series of illustrious guests how the body becomes a trademark and what this process means. How important are external appearances and the flesh underneath the skin? To what degree does the outward appearance of the body influence how a dance performance is received? Is there such a thing as the perfect body for dance? And finally: Who is beautiful and who isn’t? In live interviews over the phone, Uhlich talks to people whose bodies don’t conform to beauty standards, but have nevertheless become trademarks. The conversation simultaneously sheds light on the strange paradox of a society in which everybody wants to be unique, yet no one wishes to break ranks. In drawing attention to other eras, such as the Baroque period with its thirst for overabundance, Uhlich uses these as ideals point of reference for a physical and textual discussion of flesh and opulence.

English Translation: Tanzplattform Rhein-Main