Transition examines the in-between – that time between before and after. Encounters, events, situations, stories: these neglected in-between spaces exist everywhere and within them, we can tap into curiosity and uncertainty, into letting go and taking hold, into the experience of change.

In Transition, the fleeting present finds its dance. Each emerging moment of change finds its senses and shape. It is the poetry of a journey through time made visible through movement.

Since April 2013, laborgras has been working with three dancers on the Renaissance of contemporary dance, guided by their research into what constitutes an artist’s work and person. Transition follows the theme Retour as the second production within the framework of this project.

“We were talking talking, playing at talking, and then we were talking about the one moment. The one moment that before it we were going this way and after it we were going that way. The moment that after you’re different.” (Tom Spanbauer, In The City Of Shy Hunters)

The laborgras collective, was founded by dancers/choreographers Renate Graziadei (A) and Arthur Stäldi (CH) in Hamburg in 1994 and has been based in Berlin since 2000. Their work is anchored in contemporary dance, with a focus on collaboration with artists of different genres, movement research and interdisciplinary experimentation. laborgras continuously investigates dance as an independent art form and language, developing their own signature while remaining open to other artistic currents and aesthetics. This process is made available through an independent, artistic format designed to encourage an ongoing discourse with dance professionals and the public.

Studio laborgras, located since 2002 in Berlin-Kreuzberg, operates as a research, production and performance venue for contemporary dance. The studio is used by laborgras as well as by national and international guests to develop and present work. Daily Open classes on a professional-level and international workshops create regular opportunities for encounters and exchanges. These exchanges are also accompanied by workshop presentations, open rehearsals and performances. laborgras recognises the dialogue between artists and audience as an important necessity for artistic improve- ment and further development. The audience is the necessary counterpart and must therefore be taken care for.

laborgras is nationally and internationally recognized for their work. The production “temporary stories” was awarded “Innovative Dance Production 2000” by the ballet-tanz magazine annual critic’s survey. laborgras was selected to be part of 250 European companies to participate in the “Resolution! Aerowaves Festival” in London in 2001. In 2002, laborgras and David Hernandez were invited with “Quartett” from the production “temporary stories” to the German Dance Platform in Leipzig, and in 2004 they were awarded the Kurt-Jooss-Prize in Essen for the solo “Story – No Story”. The production “I, myself and me again”, created in 2006, has been presented at numerous international festivals since its premiere and is regarded as an outstanding interdisciplinary project in dance science and new media circles. LaborGras’ productions are supported by the Hauptstadtkulturfonds, the Fonds Darstellende Künste and the Kulturverwaltung des Landes Berlin. Studio LaborGras has, since its inception, received the appreciation and support of many international partners.