Flavia Dalila D’Amico: In music In Levare is placing the accent on a weak note, that relieves us for a moment from a continuous beat. In Levare, however, is also to rebel, to rise up together. For your vocation and artistic research, do you find yourself more in the first or in the second definition? What does ‘In Levare’ refer you to?
Daniel Ben Ami: It’s interesting because I come from the world of breakdance and when I dance breaking, I find a lot of comfort and a sense of home. This feeling of comfort in breaking comes from the roots, it was born in the streets, within a community that values freedom, creativity, and mutual respect. In breaking, you can truly be yourself, without rigid rules. The cyphers, battles, and music create a home-like atmosphere where you feel a deep sense of belonging. In contrast, when I’m on the contemporary stage, I feel more like a rebel, as if I’m doing something that breaks the “norm.” This feeling of rebellion comes from stepping into a world with established rules and “aesthetics”. Bringing breaking movements, floorwork, into this space challenges norms for me , making it feel like an act of defiance, pushing boundaries. So I find myself torn between these two feelings, yet I manage to find a personal connection in both worlds
FDD: Can you tell us what you will work on during the residency of Umak?
Daniel Ben Ami: During the residency week, I plan to explore new connections with Tamar (the dancer) and search for different states and energies that drive us within the music and the interaction between our bodies. I aim to extend the duet and further expand the movements that already exist in the space.