Fana Tshabalala: “Expanding our knowledge artistically”

Over a four year period, South African dancer and choreographer Fana Tshabalala collaborated with Russian/Swiss dancer Vladimir Ippolitov to develop a work together. The two dancers met in South Africa in 2015 during the Swiss Embassy supported tour of the Geneva Ballet, and worked together at the High Five project which Pro Helvetia Johannesburg supported, as part of the Geneva Ballet’s engagement with the context. In 2017 Fana was awarded a Pro Helvetia Johannesburg studio residency, and spent most of November in Geneva working with Vladimir on the work which explores ideas of masculinity in modern society. The following year (2018) Vladimir visited South Africa on a residency to continue work on the piece and present it with Fana at Dance Umbrella in March 2018.

In this video Fana reflects on this collaboration and exchange.