Inside Wayne McGregor's Biennale Danza 2025

What does it mean to be a 'myth maker'? Although it wouldn't be totally inconceivable to exclusively think of Paleolithic cave art upon hearing such a term, Wayne McGregor defended the idea that 'all artists are mythmakers' in a passionate speech this morning at a special preview in London of the La Biennale's 19th International Festival of Contemporary Dance.

'Through their inexplicable creativity quest, artists have always been the mythmakers of their day', opened McGregor's speech. 'It is in their legacy that we delve into the depths of our inner selves while articulating universal truths that resonate across time and cultures... art invites viewers, readers and players, each a creative cosmos in their own right, to see, feel and respond.'

As for the mythmakers McGregor is collaborating with to make this year's iteration of the Biennale Danza happen? Expect names as internationally recognisable as McGregor's own, thanks to a supporting cast that includes input from the likes of Philip Glass, who, influenced by South American rhythms, has composed nine pieces of music titled Aguas de Amazonia. This series of music will be performed live by the Grammy-award winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion and set to a piece of dance choreography offered by Twyla Tharp, who is this festival's Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.

Following not too far behind Tharp is Carolina Bianchi, who is the festival's Silver Lion and will be performing the second chapter in her trilogy Cadela Força (The Bitch Strength) for which she has already received enthusiastic acclaim by causing a sensation at the Festival d'Avignon for La Sposa e Buonanotte Cenerentola, the trilogy's first chapter. Known for her work exploring gender-based violence, her La Biennale debut will see her present a piece of work centre on 'masculinity and the male gaze', titled The Brotherhood.

As is tradition, previous Silver Lion winners Tao Ye and Duan Ni of Tao Dance Theatre will return to Venice this year to continue their infamous Numerical Series, performing 16 and 17, both of which are new works co-commissioned by La Biennale. Reiterating the narrative of how our 'bodies tell news stories' - a recent particular focus of La Biennale Danza in recent years - McGregor noted in a press statement that the duo's Numerical Series 'showcases pure dance and ravishing experiments that delve deeper into body movement'.

La Biennale Danza 2025 will also see the international premiere of Bullyache's A Good Man is Hard to Find, which will see the dance and music duo, comprising of Courtney Garratt and Jacob Samuel, work more literally with the concept of 'mythmaking', by honing in on the 'mythology of power', specifically looking to the 2008 financial crisis to explore this theme. The result? A momentous mix of music, cinematic imagery, songs and stories that explore 'institutional exploitation', asking "How can we exist and find humanity in a world such as this?". Making sure all boxes are ticked, this year's festival will see McGregor take on a more physical approach to the future of dance for the Biennale via the choreographer's collaborative project with Jeffrey Shaw, On the Other Earth. Dubbed the 'first cinematic screen in the world' with 360-degree sensing technology, the mixed-reality project sees all participants step outside of their comfort zone to imagine what it looks like to experience dance in the future.

Sounds like a lot? That's because it is. Whether you're new to the field of dance or have been a staunch follower of McGregor's work with La Biennale since his directorial debut five years ago, one thing is for sure: La Biennale Danza 2025 is set to be the best one yet. Furthering its ties with the mythmakers of today, there will also be contributions from the Biennale College, Antony Hamilton's Chunky Move and the Tuscany-based Nuovo Balletto di Toscana. Click here for more information.