One Of A Kind 

a research project by Jiří Kylián for Codarts Rotterdam

When we approached Jiří Kylián several years ago if he was 
interested to headline a research project for Codarts Rotterdam, 
he was very reluctant to consider this idea. He explained that 
he did not feel comfortable with the notion of research within 
the context of formal dance education. ‘Not his cup of tea’, 
he informed us. As we kept bringing up the subject, pointing out 
the importance and necessity of highly accomplished artists taking 
on the challenge to contribute to the discussion of artistic 
research within professional dance education, Jiří Kylián slowly 
started seeing where we were coming from with this idea. In his 
ever evolving creative process, artistic research has apparently 
become such second nature to him, that he found it almost 
superfluous to recognize it as such. Taking on an active role 
in sharing his insight and his creative experiences with young, 
aspiring dance artists almost felt like imposing himself on them.
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth as Jiří Kylián 
found out soon enough once the cycle of projects started in 
September 2010. 

			
	
Supported by associate researchers Dr. Friederike Lampert 
and Dr. Desiree Staverman as well as artistic partners Michael 
Schumacher and Sabine Kupferberg, Jiří Kylián led the way 
on a journey of discovery from the point of view of dance 
and choreography. Topics such as the expression of the 
human body at different ages, the voice and the spoken word, 
music, stage design and architecture, costume, photography, 
video art as well as lighting have been addressed along the 
way. One current  - and very lucky - generation of students 
at Codarts has been able to benefit from this opportunity 
first hand, others follow the project through the internet. 
Future generations will be able to draw from this unique 
experience through the extensive documentation which is being 
produced. Jiří Kylián has given the dance program at Codarts 
Rotterdam an invaluable impulse. Reaching out to a new 
generation of dance artists by means of this research project 
has triggered many thoughts and discussions among the school's 
student population and teaching faculty. As a research 
professor Jiří Kylián has fulfilled his role to the highest 
of expectations by simply being what he truly is: one of the 
world's most fascinating and most gifted choreographers.

Samuel Wüersten, 
director dance and member of the executive board at Codarts 
Rotterdam

December 2012