Present : Antonio Ruz Company

In an era of uncontrollable anxiety about the future, in which time seems to slip through our fingers, this work addresses the concept of the present through the senses and explores the relationship between movement and matter with stimuli as means of expression. But this sensory and philosophical idea of the "instant" as a gift is also marked by doubt, which reveals its inspiring potential as a strategy for mobilization and resistance, creating a bubble of possibility; a space and time for mobilization that nullifies automatism and complicates the cause-effect relationship. This exercise, in which dance, objects, and music interact with each other, serves as the basis for creating a mutating piece in which five performers construct their own stage space while choreographies and images of poetry that travels between chaos and beauty, between the ephemeral and the eternal, unfold.

With more than eight years of experience and extensive expertise in the field of choreography, collaborating with artists from different disciplines and using live music as its hallmark, the Antonio Ruz Company tackles this new work.

PRESENTE trailer Antonio Ruz Company from Antonio Ruz on Vimeo.

Artistic and technical details

Concept, direction, and choreography: Antonio Ruz

Choreography and collaboration: Victoria Pérez Miranda, Melania Olcina, Maureen López, Indalecio Seura, and Alejandro Moya

Original music: Bruno Dozza

Set design: Paco Azorín and Antonio Ruz

Lighting design: Olga García (A.a.i.)

Costume design: Kimôh (Anne-Cécile Espinach)

Sound design: Arne Bock

Sound technician: Enrique Chueca

Cello (recording): Aldo Mata

Percussion (recording): Rodrigo Martínez

Production: Paola Villegas and Gabriel Blanco [Spectare]

Photograph work in progress: Laura Ortega

Video work in progress: Ainara Nieves

Promotional video: María Salgado

Communication: Josi Cortés Communication

Distribution: Valeria Cosi

In collaboration with Teatros del Canal

With the support of Madrid City Council

Created in 2009 by its director and choreographer Antonio Ruz, its aim is to conduct research and explore the field of movement, collaborating with artists from other disciplines such as the visual arts and ancient and contemporary music. The team actively participates in every aspect of the creative process, giving the work a 360º approach: from lighting to set design and choreography. From an abstract theatricality, common questions and concerns about the body, its perception, and ambiguity are some of the concepts addressed in their work. The group is made up of dancers-choreographers with significant professional experience and a high technical and interpretive level, bringing quality and originality to the final result of their proposals.

The company has presented its work in Spain, Europe, Africa, and South America. Among its productions, the following stand out: No Drama ( 2010), Ignoto ( 2011), which premiered at the Burgos-New York International Choreography Competition, where it received the award for Best RCH Performance and was presented at the 13th Cádiz en Danza International Festival; Ojo ( 2012), which premiered in 2012 at the Madrid Autumn Festival and won the PAD Award for Best Choreography; Libera Me! ( 2012); Vaivén ( 2014); À L'Espagnole, scenic fantasy ( 2015), Best Innovative Show Award, granted by the Association of Spanish Early Music Groups (GEMA) and PAD Award for Best Choreography, granted by the Association of Professionals.

and Companies for the Development of Dance in Andalusia; Recreo.02 ( 2015); Beautiful Beach

(2015), and most recently Double Bach ( 2016).

An independent choreographer and dancer, Antonio Ruz has been one of Spain's most prominent dance creators for many years. His discourse, developed at the helm of his own company and through interesting collaborations with renowned national and international groups, is based on a marked interest in the more open nature of dance. This openness is the result of both his extensive training and the development of his creative vision, framed within contemporary dance, but also within Spanish dance and flamenco, and the encounter between the two.

Antonio Ruz was born in Córdoba in 1976 and trained in flamenco, Spanish dance, and classical ballet in his hometown. He began his professional career with the Víctor Ullate Ballet and later joined the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon. In 2006, he returned to Spain to join the Compañía Nacional de Danza, under the direction of Nacho Duato. During his time with companies abroad, Antonio Ruz began to explore the field of creation. Collaborations with other artists and disciplines are a constant feature of this choreographer's work. In this vein, since 2007 he has been developing an interesting creative relationship with the Berlin-based company Sasha Waltz & Guests, participating as a dancer, choreographer, and choreography assistant. Also since 2007, he has been involved in an interesting collaboration as a choreographer and guest dancer with the Spanish dance company Estévez-Paños & Compañía. "My challenge in each project is to bring out the human side of the performers, to reveal their personality. Technique and virtuosity without an underlying discourse do not interest me," explains the creator.

It was in 2009, as a result of a personal and artistic need, that Antonio Ruz created his own dance company in Madrid.

Among the mentions and awards that mark his career are the recent 2018 National Dance Award in the Creation Category and the 2013 RTVE "Ojo Crítico" Dance Award.