Residency & Co-production Jan Kress 2020/2021

Jan steckt sich die eigene Hand in den Mund, als wolle er sie verschlucken. Den Kopf hat er dabei in den Nacken gelegt. Jan trägt einen braunen Dreitagebart und ein schwarzes Tanktop. Ein breites schwarzes Tattoo umrundet wie eine Armbinde seinen rechten Oberarm.

Five questions for Jan Kress (2023)

Interview with Jan Kress from June 27, 2023. In German Sign Language with subtitles in German and English (selectable).

Click here to access the transcript of the interview in written English

Residency 2020

In a four-week work residency at Uferstudios entitled Teufelskreis (Vicious Circle), Jan Kress explored the connection between German Sign Language and contemporary dance from a Deaf perspective. Content-wise, he was strongly concerned with his past: What does it mean to be born Deaf and to grow up Deaf in a hearing and uncomprehending society? How can you develop self-confidence and find out who you are? In collaboration with hearing as well as sign language dancers and sound artists the foundation for his first solo work swallow swallow was created, which was developed in the co-production following the residency.

Co-production 2021 – swallow swallow

After the work residency in summer 2020, Jan Kress premiered his resulting solo work swallow swallow at Sophiensaele on July 12 as a dance film (due to the pandemic situation). In the work, the dancer, actor and performer deals with the process of swallowing. Who swallows and why? What do we swallow just like that and what has to be swallowed? Who makes the decisions about it? What do we want to swallow and what not? When does swallowing occur and when does choking occur? With a focus on intensive bodywork, Jan Kress develops his own artistic language that combines sign language and dance. swallow swallow is Jan Kress’ first evening-length solo.

Concept, Choreography, Performance Jan Kress Sound Design Tim Schwerdter Lighting Jens Tuch Choreographic Support Gabriel Galindez Cruz Outside Eye Jolika Sudermann van den Berg Camera, Film Alexander Lony, Vanessa Nicette Photo Vanessa Nicette Thanks to Sophia Barthelmes

A production by Jan Kress in co-production with Making a Difference: SOPHIENSÆLE, Tanzfabrik Berlin, Uferstudios, tanzfähig, Hochschulübergreifendes Zentrum Tanz Berlin, TanzZeit, Diversity Arts Culture and Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin. Supported by TANZPAKT Stadt-Land-Bund with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, co-financing fund.

In a green strip of light, Jan stands with his back leaning against the wall. He holds his flat hand next to his wide-open mouth as if shouting something loudly. His silhouette casts shadows on the wall behind him.
Jan is lying on his back, his legs folded over towards his torso, as if he has just done a somersault. He is wearing a black tank top and short black sports shorts.
With his knees bent, Jan sits on the floor. His arms wrapped around his knees and his head resting on them, he looks at the floor in front of him, lost in thought. His body is reflected on the dance floor in front of him.

Photos: Vanessa Nicette