ON FEBRUARY 28 a new book Sloboda objavovať tanec (The Freedom to Discover Dance) by Marta Poláková was “baptised”, or ceremonially launched, at Štúdio 12 in Jakubovo Square in Bratislava. Poláková, an influential choreographer, took part, together with the book’s reviewers Dagmar Hubová and Eva Gajdošová. The publication was presented by Zuzana Hájková, head of the Štúdio tanca in Banská Bystrica and the event was hosted by actress Lucia Rózsa-Hurajová, the Theatre Institute reported.
Štúdio 12 falls under the Theatre Institute and part of the presentation was, unsurprisingly, a dance improvisation by M. Čaprdová, S. Vlčeková, D. Raček, V. Benito Šoltýs, S. Daubnerová, M. Bohuš, R. Milič, L. Bagin and V. Sadílek. Dancers and actors led by Renáta Bubniaková displayed an energetic choreography that culminated in the “baptism” of the book with the sweat produced by the performers.
As well as being a choreographer, Poláková is a teacher and movement analyst. She has made several research visits abroad and cooperated with several renowned personalities of the dance world. She founded and led the first post-revolution (i. e. post-1989) group of professional dancers, known as ‘a dato’, which concentrated on contemporary dance. Her recent work reflects her study of Laban’s analysis of movement. She currently lectures in the technique of contemporary dance and improvisation at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava.
Her book explores and supports the development of creative skills through dance improvisation and is the first work of its kind in Slovakia, Hubová wrote. It is for both dancers and for dance teachers. The author tried to pinpoint and communicate the essence of the creative process in dance, Gajdošová wrote in her book review.
The book’s presentation was one in a series of events that the Theatre Institute has prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary.