Dogtroep is a theatre-company, but in their performances they hardly use text or words – the language is music and images. They are an international group of artists from different disciplines: visual artists, musicians, actors and inventors. A trademark of their work is to start at individual points of fascination, resulting in site-specific shows for a wide audience, varying from intimate to large-scale performances.
Dogtroep has constantly developed through the inspiration and input from the individual artist's search for new forms of vital, integrated art. Dogtroep started 25 years ago as a raw street-theatre-event collective, presenting parades in grotesque costumes. Dogtroep later became well known for big-scale performances such as The World Expo in Seville, the Winter Olympics and in the Royal Carre Theatre in Amsterdam.
In 1994 Dogtroep worked for the first time in South Africa in Johannesburg during the Arts Alive Festival. During the last couple of years Dogtroep re-invented itself. Since 1999 a new artistic director and almost new artistic team has been in place. The basic principles of Dogtroep have remained, but the new artistic direction focuses on contemporary, urban issues. New elements introduced in Dogtroep performances are contemporary media (video) and electronic music.
DURBAN Exhibition and Workshop
Dogtroep has initiated a four-week laboratory in Durban during February and March, and will work with eight Durban based artists, actors and musicians sharing ideas with members from Dogtroep. This will culminate in a series of presentations/performances open to the general public.
To introduce the Dogtroep Company and the workshop to the Durban public, the NSA Gallery will host an exhibition consisting of photographs and video of past projects by the company. The exhibition focuses on recent events staged by the company and includes a full-length documentary of some works.
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