William Forsythe. Choreographic Instructions

William Forsythe's »Choreographic Instructions« are a set of directions to create sequences of movements that range in difficulty from relatively easy to well-nigh impossible. In public spaces, passersby are invited to engage with the instructions — no matter how unusual or difficult they may be — and actively participate in a process of self-questioning and/or self-reflection. 

Not everyone will understanding or succeed in putting the choreographic instructions into effect. This raises the question: “Who could in fact be capable of realizing such a work?” For William Forsythe, this is the moment to reflect upon our ability to hope. He has trust that in the midst of all difficulties that arise, our imagination will awaken and we will start to think about unanticipated, individual forms of action and how diverse human abilities are.

Since the 1970s William Forsythe, one of the world's premier choreographers of our time, has developed a unique language of movement based on the vocabulary of classical ballet. For Forsythe, choreography is a form of thinking — a creative process that is not limited to the execution of set instructions, but which relates space, body, and time. His conceptual approach to dance and his deep interest in the fundamental principles of choreography have led Forsythe in recent years to undertake a wide range of projects in the areas of installation, film, and digital media in addition to his work on the stage.

Two text works by Forsythe, »Himmel & Hölle« (2019) and »Turning your eyes« (2019) from the series Choreographic Instructions, will be installed on the ZKM’s forecourt and outdoor area; more will follow in Karlsruhe's urban spaces. With these works, the ZKM continues a series of projects that began when William Forsythe's archive was transferred to the ZKM in spring 2023. To date, the website »Improvisation Technologies — The Lectures«, the exhibition »Nowhere and Everywhere at the Same Time«, the world premiere of »Friends of Forsythe«, and the presentation of the installation »Black Flags« have been realized.