A Master of Line: Hans van Manen, Modern Ballet Visionary, Dies at 93
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Hans van Manen, the Dutch choreographer nicknamed the 'Mondrian of dance,' died in Amsterdam at 93. Celebrated for blending classical ballet technique with modern sensibility, he changed the course of 20th-century dance by emphasizing musical structure, psychological distance, and restrained form. A prolific creator, van Manen made over 120 works — including landmark pieces like The Great Fugue, Adagio Hammerklavier, and 5 Tangos — performed by some 90 companies worldwide. He served as resident choreographer for the Dutch National Ballet and helped shape repertoire at Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT). Van Manen also pursued photography exploring the human body in motion and received major honors such as the Erasmus Prize and a lifetime achievement Benois de la Danse award. His connection to Korea is notable: Korean ballerina Kim Ji-young danced as a principal with the Dutch National Ballet (2002–2009), acclaimed for her interpretation of van Manen’s exacting style, and Seoul Ballet Company (founded 2024) has staged key works like Kammervals (chamber ballet) and 5 Tangos, introducing his aesthetics to Korean audiences.
