The upcoming winter semester 2022/23 at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen will be special: with the support of the government of North Rhine-Westphalia, a new professorship has been established there – named after Pina Bausch, the famous German dancer and choreographer . This idea is the result of a ten-year creative collaboration between Dance Theater Wuppertal, the Pina Bausch Foundation and the Folkwang University of the Arts.

Teaching in the new department will be based on the traditions and philosophy of the Folkwang University of the Arts and the personality of Pina Bausch (1940-2009), who was educated at the Folkwang Academy and worked at the intersection of genres, creating a new direction – dance-theater . And after her death, she continues to influence contemporary dance and theatrical art.

As professors of the new department in Essen, world-famous artists representing various disciplines will be attracted. During the year, they have complete freedom in choosing topics and tasks, together with the students, they will be able to develop new methods and carry out research that goes beyond the usual framework.

The performance legend will become a teacher

From October this year, the first guest professor of the Pina Bausch Chair will be one of the most influential people in contemporary art., legend of actionism, the artist Marina Abramovic. It is not by chance that the curriculum begins with her participation: after all, the focus here is on interdisciplinarity, artistic courage and social activity. In 2022 and 2023, Abramovich will work with 25 students, from musicians and actors to choreographers and designers. As a result of this work, a public presentation is planned for the summer of 2023.

Folkwang University of Arts

Marina Abramovic, whose career began in 1973, is today one of the main representatives of conceptualism. In her shocking performances, she addresses the relationship between artist and spectator, the limits of bodily experience, raises sensitive themes from politics, art and her biography. In 2008, Abramovich received the Austrian Badge of Honor for his contribution to science and the arts. In 2011, the Royal Academy of Arts in London awarded him the title of honorary scholar, and in 2014, Time magazine included Abramovich in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2018, the Bundeskunsthalle Museum in Bonn hosted the first large-scale retrospective of her work.

Marina Abramovic herself commented on her appointment as follows: “I will always regret never having met Pina Bausch in person. She deeply understood the emotions caused by physical actions, so close to performance art. Feelings are real when actions are real. an honor to teach at the Folkwang University of the Arts, which honors the memory of Pina Bausch.”