On the Premises of French Contemporary Dance: Concepts, Collectivity and ‘Trojan Horses’ in the Work of Jérôme Bel and Loïc Touzé

Abstract

The French choreographers Jérôme Bel and Loïc Touzé have recently shown work at prestigious Parisian venues: the Théâtre de la Ville and Centre George Pompidou, respectively. As I read a critique of Bel’s performance by Tim Etchells, the director of the British-based experimental performance ensemble Forced Entertainment, it became clear to me how culturally specific these works are, and that some contextualisation by someone ‘on the premises’ may be in order. A resident of France for the better part of 20 years, I would like to offer this.