Philipp Gehmacher conceived the lecture-performance ““walk+talk in March 2008 upon the invitation from Tanzquartier Wien to curate a series of events. Initially ten choreographers were asked each to create a lecture performance that made the moving and talking run parallel. Since then “walk+talk” series has been re-created in 5 cities, involving 27 artists. The full “walk+talk” collection with video recordings and text transcriptions is available on oralsite.be Also “walk+talk” solo by Gehmacher has been presented all over the world and in Riga this will be his “walk+talk” no 20.

In “walk+talk” solo Gehmacher uses movement and words to present his personal movement language and the diverse sources from which it derives. The words, however, are not meant to explain, nor is the movement meant to illustrate the words. Instead, movement and language are treated as equally important forms of artistic expression that strengthen one another. As these forms converge with their subject, they strive for synergy, intertwine, and, as a result, produce a choreographic tension.

From “walk+talk”, a few thoughts by Philipp Gehmacher:
walk+talk is intended as a format neither fully written nor improvised yet a wander along a score that needs to be instantiated to create presence. It represents the attempt of ‘throwing’ yourself in front ‘your’ audience, letting your thinking and knowledge be entangled with your body moving whilst aiming for clarity and information.

This performance is part of the Homo Novus festival programme ‘Austrian Focus’.