The Heroes of Vincenzo Turiano

Article in Scènes: the heroes of Vincenzo Turiano

September 13, 2024

by Eric Korsten

Starting on September 20, Introdans will be on tour with HEROES. Vincenzo Turiano (31) – how could it be otherwise with such a surname – was born in Turin. He has been dancing with Introdans for eleven years now. He is, along with his fellow dancers on the dance floor, one of the heroes of the Arnhem dance company, especially for its loyal audience. But who or what are his heroes?

Dancer
“In my youth, I looked up to Sylvie Guillem because of how she developed and challenged herself as an artist, ranging from how she performed classical ballet to modern dance. But now, I prefer to find my heroes in the present day. In terms of dance, Leroy Mokgatle is my hero. He was born in South Africa and currently dances with Staatsballett Berlin. He is a male dancer but likes to challenge existing norms in dance. Leroy ultimately chose to identify as a woman. She mainly performs female roles and, like every ballerina, dreams of playing the lead in Giselle – Go Leroy! Heroes, for me, are people who dare to make a difference. It’s great to see that Staatsballett Berlin is open and welcomes these unique dancers.”

Film
“Timothée Chalamet is 28 years old and known for films like Call Me by Your Name and The French Dispatch. He’s also the face of Chanel’s men’s fragrance ‘Bleu de Chanel’. I admire him because he shows a broader spectrum of concepts like ‘man’ and ‘masculinity’ in his films. The Turkish/Italian director Ferzan Özpetek is also a hero of mine, known for films like La Finestra di Fronte, Mine Vaganti, and Hamam. In his own unique way, almost ‘queer,’ he shows what ‘living together’ and ‘society’ can mean.”

Fashion
“In this field, I have many heroes! But right now, I’m thinking of someone I know personally and also collaborate with as a performer and choreographer: Patrick Hiemstra, from the Arnhem design studio Hiem. His costume designs are extravagant but also free from connotations regarding ‘gender’ or body types. They go beyond that and celebrate inclusivity.”

Photography
“In this area, many names come to mind. For example, Erwin Olaf. But if I really have to choose one, it’s the Dutchman Armando Branco at this moment. He is a good friend of mine, and I often collaborate with him as well. I like to discover myself from his perspective. He has a strong and detailed way of storytelling through his camera lens! He dares to reveal himself and also challenges others to do so. I admire people who can transform themselves.”

Music
“I have a wide taste in music, from classical to pop. I recently watched the Eurovision Song Contest on TV and was impressed by the Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, the winner, especially because he showed his non-binary side on stage. Because of him, it almost feels like I won as well. In classical music, I enjoy listening to Thomas van Dun, from the Netherlands. He has composed for various ensembles and orchestras. You can hear multiple layers in his music, which fascinates me. I plan to choreograph a piece to his music someday. He studied ballet when he was younger and is a true multitalent, also excelling in painting. This year, he even won the TV show Project Rembrandt.”

Pet
“My cat! I named him Raf, and he’s a ‘he’. I named him after Raffaella Carrà, the Italian TV host, dancer, actress, and singer, known in the Netherlands for the song A far l’amore comincia tu. Why? I got him on the day Carrà took her last breath. Carrà loved breaking norms. To me, she’s authentic and embodies what freedom can be. Raf represents who I am and how I approach life. And I simply adore symbolism.”

Writer
“I have to admit, I don’t read much. But I devour Paulo Coelho’s novels, like The Alchemist. I enjoy his writing style. His stories contain so much symbolism and magical realism hidden within. As a dancer, you also need magic—you have to convey it. I can’t heal people—I’m not a doctor—but I can contribute to a beautiful or exciting evening, offering an escape from everyday monotony, allowing people to find comfort in a metaphor made of music in motion. In that way, I hope to make the world a little more dignified to live in. Personally, I can’t live without magic in my daily life.”

City
“As a professional dancer, I’m often on tour—but I also travel a lot personally. So, I’ve seen many cities. I always feel good in the small town where my family is originally from, San Lucido, in the Italian province of Cosenza, Calabria. With six thousand inhabitants, it’s more of a village than a city. But my heart and childhood memories are there. However, I choose Turin, where I was born. It’s a special city. It has transformed from an old industrial city into a beautiful one. You can still see the Baroque architecture, but it’s now surrounded by modern structures. I lived in Turin during the 2006 Winter Olympics. People from all over the world came there. No, Turin isn’t Naples, Milan, or Rome, but it is itself, balancing tradition and innovation. And the view of the Alps—unmatched!”

Theater Venue
“The ancient classical amphitheater in Taormina, built by the Greeks, is the most beautiful in Sicily! I’d love to perform there someday and celebrate my dance career with people from my father’s birthplace. If you visit, you can take one of your best vacation photos, with Mount Etna in the background on one side and the beach on the other. I spent a lot of time there during my childhood.”

Favorite Dance Role
“I have fantastic colleagues, and many choreographers have won a special place in my heart. As a dance fanatic, I embrace every challenge and every role. But a typical hero role in a classical-romantic or modern ballet? That’s not for me. I don’t identify with those heroes from the past. If we’re talking about a favorite role, I’d say: myself! I’d love to perform solo on stage, showing and sharing who I really am in a production. Is that arrogant? I don’t think so. There’s nothing more powerful than being yourself.”

Four choreographies featured in HEROES
Regina van Berkel’s Daily Hero (Dutch premiere) will be performed, specially expanded for Introdans. Then comes SH-BOOM! by the renowned choreographer duo Sol León and Paul Lightfoot. Inbal Pinto will present Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Dutch premiere), and the guest dancers are certainly heroes too, in a new edition of lungo – De Ontmoeting 2024 by Introdans choreographer Adriaan Luteijn.

Read the full article on Scenes (NL).

 

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