“Different cultures together are a paradise”
James Vu Anh Pham is a wonderful dancer who has been working with Chunky Move – Anouk Van Dijk since 2012 and he collaborated with Akram Khan, Eastman – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Royal Ballet of Flanders, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Bayerische Staatsoper and Theater Basel.
-What is the key to your success?
“For me, it was really important to surround myself with people that move me, and inspire me, and I can love and love me back. Also to feel that I could be part of something that contributes to the body in a better way: in the creation of works that offer new, positive, and different perspectives to the audience. If I was working with someone that I thought was my dream, or I have always wanted to work for, maybe I realized that the work wasn’t the thing that I wanted to be part of or I didn’t contribute it in a different way. It is hard but you always have to make your decision to find your own way or something else that makes you feel powerful and useful. In order to feel happy, full, and successful the main thing is the search for truth and authenticity, whatever that means, and to not compromise who you are or what you believe in. When you don’t compromise, you become able to welcome the right people in your life which is very important.”
-You worked with Akram Khan. What do you bring with you about his work? What he teaches you?
“His rigor and his mentality to really go in the path, with effort. His work required me to be completely present and involved physically, spiritually, emotionally. I still practice this, trying to go deeper and deeper. The spirituality and the ritual energy complete the physical embodiment which I learned a lot in the creation and performances.”
-You have great control and freedom in all your body parts. How were you able to reach that?
“I really believe that we all have a kind of encyclopedia in ourselves, with all the information that we learn from so many people that we meet: teachers, colleagues...they always influence you somehow. They can move you in small or big ways, and I really enjoy just allowing this encyclopedia to go over and understand. And every time I perform it is fascinating and different: when I have space to improvise, sometimes it is more articulated, sometimes not, but I enjoy letting the encyclopedia go”.
-You also worked with Sidi Larbi. What fascinates you about his work?
“He really inspired me as a mover and made me grow up. I always wanted to learn how he moved. I think there is something really individual about all the dancers he works with. I was more interested in that: to be surrounded by so many other dancers and multiculturalism.”
-What is the relationship between dance and culture?
“What I love about the dance world is that it brings together people from all different parts of the globe. A multicultural melting pot where we all work intimately to make something beautiful and meaningful. It’s a paradise and an example of what the world could be. Of course, there still are many things to question and continue to break apart and reform in the industry. I'm proud to be a part of an industry that consists of many individuals that are fighting for change, inclusivity, and actively shedding old values that do not serve us.”
-How does the counter technique help your dance?
“I think it is everything for me. Countertechnique just happened to me, and I feel very fortunate that it just fell into my life. I didn’t understand it for a long time, but then I realized how beneficial it was, how it helped me. I gained a different perspective in my own way of thinking about my body. And now I feel it is like a secret that I have about myself, to stay sustainable and intelligent in working. If I didn’t use the counter technique while working with Akram Khan I would have been injured all the time, because his work requires 110% all the time.”
-What is the importance of the technique?
“My relationship with the technique has shifted a lot. For me, technique is about the skills, knowledge, and practice that we use to execute a task. It can be anything. In terms of contemporary dance(and dance in general), I believe the western approach has conditioned generations to believe that good technique is a strong foundation in classical ballet training and that it should be the starting point. I disagree and believe this is rooted in the systemic racism that is taking place in and outside of the industry. The technique has nothing to do with ballet. Now, this is not to take away from the beauty and strength of ballet, it's a reminder that it's just one of many beautiful techniques. The research, discipline, and practice of any skill contributes to your technique and gives you the strength to go deeper and further into whatever it is you are researching. ”
-How important is the process of improvisation and researching?
“It should be one of the most important things as an artist. And I strongly believe as human beings we all keep on searching in our own lives and then researching.”
-How were you able to develop your artistry?
“I have been really fortunate to have the possibilities to work quite continuously, with different choreographers. A couple of years ago I had a bit of time off and I went into the studio and I started working on myself, making things, not to perform, but just for myself. And I realize that so many things that I was doing, I did them already for other choreographers. And I questioned myself “Then is it mine or them?”. But maybe no one owns anything, maybe there is the only energy that we are manipulating all together, but ownership of energy is not possible. I spent more time in the studio and I realized that “this is me, but the people I also worked with are also me”, it is endless.”
-Who can be defined as an artist?
“The small choices you make in your morning routine every day can be a work of art. What’s the difference between that and choreography? I brush my teeth, brush my hair, I do my skincare. Anything you are doing can be received as art if you allow it. Everyone can be an artist, a response from society is not a prerequisite. You can create the best piece of art that ever existed in your basement and you don’t have to show anyone. Art is expression, language is also expression, therefore what’s the difference? Spoken language has its limits, art can fill in all those gaps.”
-What is the role of the dancer in society?
“Many times I thought I wasn’t contributing to society and that dancing wasn’t important. I truly believe that if dancing brings you joy, then you are somehow contributing to a positive path in society. You take the responsibility for your happiness and therefore you add something positive into the world. In order to feel full, successful, and happy, I commit to the search of my own truth and authenticity of me, whatever that means.. to not compromise who I am for someone else. When you witness someone completely living their own truth, you can’t help but feel it deeply. It can encourage, challenge, and invite you to do the same and that's powerful. A good CV has nothing to do with it and in the end doesn’t and shouldn’t matter. And by performing you can transmit important messages. And as dancers, we become the voices of things that cannot speak. That is really important and scary sometimes. Art is completely another language.”
-As a teacher, what would you like to transmit to your students?
“Obviously the joy of dance and the sustainability that I really enjoy sharing. I think it is a really nice tool to let people know and reflect on history.”
-Can you describe yourself as an artist in three words?
“Intricate. Adaptable. Soft.”
-Can you give some advice to young dancers?
“My number one thing that I still practice, is to never compromise the decision that you make with your body. No one should feel ashamed to feel no if you feel not ready or not safe.”
Thank you so much James for your time, art, and passion! It was a pleasure and an honor for us!
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