Cindy Van Acker

Les Impromptus

Performances

10 July / 11h

11 – 16 July / 17h

Off on the 13th

It could last fifteen minutes or… 45. No two performances will be the same; spectators could come to any of them, because each one promises to be unique. Flemish-born and Geneva-based choreographer Cindy Van Acker was classically trained in ballet and has been developing her own pieces for over 25 years: these are characterized by concentration, slowness, interiority, precise gestures and finely tuned composition. With Impromptus, Van Acker ventures in new territories. She experiments with a new relationship to creation, in a simplified approach to space and audience. Using the pieces presented at the Collection Lambert as a starting point, she and her performers, together with a sound artist, will create a special performance over the course of a day, based on their encounter with the work chosen that morning. Taking a step back, holding space for composition and play in the here and now, to create a small piece with the utmost care and lightness. “Like a counterpoint to other pieces,” she says. An opening, a breath of fresh air.

Concept and choreography Cindy van Acker
Performance Matthieu Chayrigues, Tilouna Morel et Daniela Zaghini
Sound design Denis Rollet
Production and administration Pauline Coppée in collaboration with Anna Piroud
Diffusion Astrid Takche de Toledo
Communication Sophie Lugon-Moulin

Production Cie Greffe
With the support of The company Greffe has a regional support agreement – Transmission – with the Republic and Canton of Geneva., la Ville de Genève, le Pavillon ADC – Genève and la Fondation de l’Hermitage – Lausanne for the period 2025 – 2027

biography

Cindy Van Acker trained in ballet in Antwerp, and then danced at the Royal Ballet of Flanders and the Grand Théâtre de Genève. She has been creating her own pieces since 1994, and she founded Greffe Company in Geneva in 2002. Since then, she has created some thirty pieces for Greffe, as well as works for Ballet de Lorraine, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, Ballet Junior and P.A.R.T.S., and she has choreographed for Romeo Castellucci’s stage productions. Her choreographic composition unfolds in an extremely singular territory, always starting from the search for a form that suggests the unspeakable. Through her composition, which combines a sober aesthetic, pure movement, meticulous composition and a strong relationship with music, Van Acker examines the connections between body, mind, sound and rhythm with an almost scientific approach, creating pieces that transgress the boundaries between dance, performance and visual arts. Her work has earned her numerous distinctions (including two Swiss Dance Prizes and the Chevalière de la Légion d’honneur medal). Cindy Van Acker was awarded the Grand Prix suisse des arts de la scène / Anneau Hans Reinhart in 2023 and the Prix culturel Leenaards in 2023.