I met Tristan Honsinger in Amsterdam in 1978. We moved to the countryside, Florence Italy, and started a multidisciplinary practice that was a major influence on the individuals involved in GROUPO, and on the everything I am continuing to do in my practice today. We miss him. Tristan Charles Honsinger, cellist, born 23 October 1949; died 5 August 2023
I initiated the company Groupo in 1980 with artists who I met in Trout Faggioni’s studio. We created one hour pieces based on my theatre, music, dance and improvisation background. I made sound tracks with Maurizio de la Navi, on reel to reel tapes, and storyboards as a theme for each piece. The pieces appeared improvised yet were tightly set in time. We were able to achieve this illusion in how the soundtrack was designed in relationship to the the shifting bodies, objects and images. The creation processes were elegant improvisations by Alessandro Certini, Virgilio Seine, and Charlotte Zerbey (and later), with Frans Poelstra, Marie Angela Pespani and Kirstie Simpson.
Groupo was picked up by UK and European festivals in the early 80’s. This was coinciding with the renewal and appreciation for dance specifically from Europe. The company would tour a piece, return to their Italy base, to work on a new piece. Tours included the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Austria and England, primarily in small scale theatres.
Pieces: Rutles, The Orange Man, Brown eye green eye, Wild Card , Mind the gap
Groupo was also invited to participate in various improvisation set ups that were organised in these festivals.
Dancer/Performers – Virgilio Sieni, Alessandro Certini, Charlotte Zerbi, Marie Angela Pespani, Laura Corsi, Kirstie Simpson, Frans Poelstra
Soundtracks: Katie Duck / Sound engineer: Maurizio de la Navi / Storyboarding and direction: Katie Duck
