Creatures of Butter

“CREATURES OF BUTTER” is a dance performance inspired by the sculptures of pioneer and sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen. The performance brings together dance, live percussion and visual design in a powerful choreographic work. An artistic encounter between these powerful sculptures and the Danish Dance Theatre’s artistic director Marina Mascarell, percussionist Ying-Hsueh Chen, visual artist Rasmus Myrup and lighting designer Leticia Skrycky.

The performance takes its inspiration from a small but revealing detail concerning one of our most iconic Danish sculptors. As a young girl, she grew up on a farm with no access to clay or plaster. She shaped the animals she saw around her out of pieces of butter. The title points both to the fragility of the material and the vitality of the creatures that inspired her. Animals seen up close, briefly held in a form before they melt.

The performance draws inspiration from the vitalist movement of Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen’s era, when artists and thinkers explored life as an invisible force. Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen’s powerful and authentic sculptures of mermaids, cows, horses and peacocks were brimming with dignity, determination and vitality. In the choreography, the creatures are brought to life, not as static monuments, but as living beings in a state of transformation.

Choreographer Marina Mascarell interprets Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen’s vibrant sculptural language through the living body, transforming the stage into a artist’s studio-like landscape where both the process and the transformation become visible.
The performance is not a portrait of Anne Marie, but a tribute to her works and her courage and determination to claim her place at a moment in time when it was not a given.

The performance is a co-production created by Danish Dance Theatre and Bora Bora.

“I don’t think art will change the world,  but it can help us to understand it better.”
– Marina Mascarell, artistic director

Danish Dance Theatre is Denmark’s national company for contemporary dance, home to 10 carefully chosen, full-time dancers. From their base at the Royal Danish Opera House, they bring world-class dance to audiences across the country, with a special focus on bold new productions for both children and adults. Their performances are fearless, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in the present moment—works that dare to mirror the world we live in with striking vulnerability, sparking thought and inviting questions. Since 1.4.2023, the Spanish choreographer Marina Mascarell has been the company’s Artistic Director. Danish Dance Theatre is celebrated for its dynamic and diverse repertoire, ranging from grand productions at the Royal Danish Theatre, open air festivals and events to more intimate performances that challenge and inspire.

With a diverse troupe of dancers from around the world, the company continually pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance, embodying Mascarell’s deep commitment to humanist values. Her internationally acclaimed work, along with her invitations to other distinguished choreographers, brings fresh perspectives to the company’s repertoire, enriching both the national and international dance landscapes. Each season, Danish Dance Theatre makes a significant impact on the international stage through extensive tours while also nurturing the local dance scene in Denmark. The company plays a vital role in the development of contemporary dance, not only through its performances but also by organizing annual events that foster creativity and collaboration within the dance community.

Founded in 1981, Danish Dance Theatre has grown into a major cultural institution. With the solid foundation laid by previous artistic directors Randi Patterson with Anette Abildgaard, Ingrid Buchholtz, Mikaela Barnekow, Warren Spears, Tim Rushton and Pontus Lidberg, the company continues to evolve. Today, Danish Dance Theatre stands at the forefront of contemporary dance, offering powerful and thought-provoking performances that captivate and engage audiences worldwide. Danish Dance Theatre receives funding from the Ministry of Culture. In addition, individual performances receive support from private and public foundations.

“I try to find the artistic independence taking artistic risks, avoiding the routine and conventions. It remains essential to continue a questioning attitude.”
– Marina Mascarell, artistic director

Marina Mascarell (she/her) is the Artistic Director of Dansk Danseteater, the National Contemporary Dance Company of Denmark.

She is an internationally acclaimed choreographer recognized for her thought-provoking and interdisciplinary work.

Previously, Marina was Resident Choreographer at Korzo Theatre in The Hague (2011–2021) and an Associated Artist at Mercat de les Flors in Barcelona until 2022. Before transitioning into choreography, she was a dancer with Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York City.

Beyond her independent creations, Marina has been commissioned by renowned institutions such as Nederlands Dans Theater 1 & 2, GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Lyon Opera Ballet (Biennale de la Danse de Lyon), Skånes Dansteater, Dance Forum Taipei, and Sydney Dance Company for the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, among others. Her artistic practice extends beyond dance, engaging with visual arts, film, music, and theater in interdisciplinary collaborations.

Her work has been presented worldwide, including in The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France, Greece, Taiwan, China, Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. Throughout her career, Marina has received several awards and recognitions, including the BNG Excellent Dance Award (2015), acknowledging her impact on the field of contemporary dance.

Photo: Bradley Waller