A Dance Tribute to the Art of Football

A Dance Tribute to the Art of Football dealt with football, the greatest game on earth, as a phenomenon with physical routines, violence, insanity, aesthetics and humour. At the same time it was a political comment to the artificial conflict of choice between the "common sports" and the "eloquent arts" as well as a kick to the pride and prejudice surrounding the concept of working-class football and upper-class ballet. The piece erased all lines of demarcation and shined a spotlight on the similarities; the sheer entertainment and the arousing physical excitement.

A Dance Tribute to the Art of Football was awarded the Scandinavian selection for Bagnolet in 1998. The performance also won The Norwegian Critics' Award in the category of dance in 1998:

"For everyone having seen Strømgren's football game, a football game will never be the same, but a lot more - and a lot more exciting. Jo Strømgren sees through so much of the sports’ and the game’s dynamics, disciplined brutality, inner drama and all its rituals, and all the time, the players’ own movements are the forces driving the dance."

A Dance Tribute to the Art of Football by Jo Strømgren Kompani is supported by the Arts Council Norway, the Audio Visual Fund, the Fund for Performing Artists, Oslo City Council, Bergen City Council, Spenn.no  and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel grant/performing arts).

Source:

Jo Strømgren Kompani, jskompani.no, 08.08.2010, http://jskompani.no/productions/2

Writer unknown, 03.06.1999, The Times [England]:
"It's a cheeky, rumbustious celebration of the physical exuberance of football and dance. It gives a healthily humorous kick to a preconception or two about both activities, and it deftly combines maximalist movement with a minimalist score (...)."

Writer unknown, 22.06.1999, Le Figaro [France]:
"The gags are numerous and irresistible, but the choreographer also master the art of creating inventive movements and beautiful images, like the sequences in slow motion, the frozen pictures in the middle of the action, the pause at half time and the final tableau of the four men nude, showering in a trickle of golden light. The sport-inspired dance is muscled and violent and the four interpreters throw themselves into the game without caution, taking all the risks with intensity and incredible energy...and with evident pleasure!"

Writer unknown, 21.11.1999, The Sunday Telegraph [England]:
"Strømgren's witty and thoughtful piece anatomised each aspect of the game (...) and the familiar soccer manoeuvres of dummies, shimmies and swerves were worked up into a coherent vocabulary fluently expressed by Strømgren's four excellent dancers".

Writer unknown, 15.11.99, The Guardian [England]:
"With its boots laced with humour and risky, high-energy footwork, the dance tribute is more than a mere fan letter to a boyhood passion. Behind the slow-motion replays, crotch-scratching rituals and satirical player stereotypes lurks a sophisticated take on a global obsession that says much about the human condition."

Writer unknown, 21.11.1999, The Sunday Times [England]:
"Strømgren's work came as a surprise and a delight."

Writer unknown, 21.11.1999, The Independent on Sunday [England]:
"A marvel of mood and observation."

• The Cuban Critics Award 2012 - Best Show
• Kritikerprisen 1997/98 - Dansekritikerprisen
• Rencontres Bagnolets priser 1997 - Official Scandinavian selection