Inside The New Shopping bag with Emma Evelein
Emma Evelein is one of the most exciting choreographers working in dance and film today, in our opinion. Based in Amsterdam, she creates movement that tells stories, for the stage, for the screen, and everywhere in between. She has choreographed for Armani Sì, starring Cate Blanchett, opened the Dutch Cultural Season to a million viewers, and created work for the United Ukrainian Ballet, co-produced by Sarah Jessica Parker. Her short film Lucid Dreaming won the Gouden Kalf, the Dutch Academy Award, in 2023.
We got to know Emma's work through our connection with the RIDCC and have been following her with great admiration. Her new short dance film 'De Ontmoeting - Born Into You' is set in a dystopian world where two characters, apparent opposites, are born into bleakness. Peeling walls, worn tyres, not much else. Then they find each other. What follows is a deep, wordless connection told entirely through movement. A film about one of the most fundamental things there is: belonging, to each other, and to yourself. We are proudly screening the film in our store from this month.
Describe yourself in three words.
Sensitive, passionate, kind
Where are you now?
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tell us something about you and SUSAN BIJL.
We share a love for art and dance!
What ecological measures would you take if you ruled the world?
I would invest in clean air, organic plant-based foods as a default, destroy data centres, cut out all industries of fast fashion and have a critical eye on overproduction.
How do you brighten up your existence?
Music, sound, art, dancing, creation and being surrounded by other people that feel the same way.
What part does colour play in that process?
Every process starts with sound and imagination, then colour and texture will be the next part to design the world in the creation. Colour is essential for the integrity and authenticity of a work.
What music have you been listening to recently?
Michael Cera 2014's 'True That' and Noah Kahan, an indie feel that I love at home to come at rest.
What was your biggest loss?
To have had a sense of imposter syndrome
What is your ultimate destination?
There is not an ultimate one, but I guess a place where all my wishes and priorities come together, to speak loudly and let much in, to take space and give that space to others, to recognise quality, but always open for playfulness. To make others feel valuable and be a reliable person.
‘De Ontmoeting - Born Into You’ will be on display at our flagship store until July.
Nieuwe Binnenweg 94, Rotterdam
