Art Happens

Jefta’s performances reach out into metaphysical or otherwordly realms and deal with notions of illusion, the visible and the invisible, synaesthesia, darkness, labour, sex, the uncanny, affect, voice and image. His work ranges from smaller, intimate formats to high-profile, large-scale productions for state companies.

Van Dinther’s works include REMACHINE (2023), Unearth (2022), On Earth I’m Done: Islands (2022) and Mountains (2021) for Cullberg, The Quiet (2019), Plateau Effect (2019) for Staatsballett Berlin, Dark Field Analysis (2017), Protagonist (2016) for Cullberg, As It Empties Out (2014), Plateau Effect (2013) for Cullberg, THIS IS CONCRETE (2012), GRIND (2011), The Blanket Dance (2011), Kneeding (2010), The Way Things Go (2009) and IT’S IN THE AIR (2008).

In 2023, Van Dinther was engaged as choreographer in Ulrich Rasche’s production Leonce und Lena for Deutsches Theater Berlin. Between 2019-2022 Van Dinther was Associated Artist with Cullberg. In 2020, Juan Pablo Camara was awarded the Catalan Critic’s award in the category of best male dancer for his role in the performance Dark Field Analysis. In 2016, Van Dinther developed the choreography for one of the scenes in Michael Haneke’s film Happy End together with the actor Franz Rogowski. During 2014, Van Dinther collaborated with Robyn & Röyksopp and created the choreography for the music videos Monument and Say It as well as for their world touring live concert. Van Dinther received the Swedish Theatercritic’s Danceprize 2013 for Plateau Effect, which was also selected for the Swedish Biennial of Performing Arts 2015. In 2012, Van Dinther was awarded with the Birgit Cullberg Grant from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee. GRIND was awarded the Säde prize in Finland for best lighting design and received three prizes during Favoriten Festival in Dortmund, 2012.

Van Dinther graduated from the Amsterdam School of the Arts (MTD) in 2003. He teaches choreography at various international centers and educational programs. He was appointed Senior Lecturer and Artistic Director at the MA program in Choreography at DOCH (University of Dance and Circus in Stockholm) between 2012-2014.

Jefta van Dinther runs the studio and workspace Diorama in Berlin.