In his second year as director, Ismael Ivo continued with his research into the body that he began in 2005, this time taking it Under Skin. The body, in both its physiological and emotional aspects, becomes a protagonist, also from a scientific point of view, because the relationship between thought and movement is evident in dancers. A symposium on this theme opened the Festival on June 9th, 10th and 11th, and brought to Venice philosophers and neuroscientists, filmmakers and mathematicians, choreographers and performers.  

The festival opened with the world premiere of Illuminata, Ismael Ivo’s new choreography, and the rest of the shows spanned three weeks. The program also included two workshops and an exhibition dedicated to Aurel Milloss to celebrate the centenary of his birth.

On June 25th, the closing day of the Festival, Carolyn Carlson was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement: this was the first Golden Lion that the performing arts sections of the Venice Biennale (Dance, Music, and Theatre) decided to award annually starting from 2006.

4th International Festival of Contemporary Dance: Under Skin

8-11 June, Teatro alle Tese ISMAEL IVO - Illuminata

8-9 June, Tese delle Vergini TAKAO KAWAGUCHI (Japan) - D.D.D.

11-13 June, Spazio Fonderie JIN XING DANCE THEATRE (China) - The Closest – The Farthest

13-14 June, Tese delle Vergini ISTANBUL DANCE THEATRE (Turkey) - Mahrem; Kimlikler

14-15 June, Teatro Piccolo Arsenale ACCRORAP (France/Algeria/India/Brazil) - Les corps étrangers

16-17 June, Teatro alle Tese ALMATANZ (Italy) - Chi è devoto

17-18 June, Teatro Malibran RANDOM DANCE COMPANY (UK) Amu / Of the Heart

18-19 June, Tese delle Vergini MAVIN KHOO DANCE (UK) Devi: the Female Principle

18-19 June, Teatro Piccolo Arsenale BALLETTO TEATRO DI TORINO (Italy) - Canto bianco in un momento di orizzonte verticale

20-21 June, Teatro alle Tese BEIJING MODERN DANCE COMPANY (China) - Oath

20-21 June, Spazio Fonderie KO MUROBUSHI (Japan) - Quick Silver

21 June, Teatro Malibran ACCO THEATRE CENTER (Israel) - WhishUponAStar

22-23 June, Tese delle Vergini MK (Italy) - Tourism

22-23 June, Teatro Piccolo Arsenale ATTAKKALARI (India) - Purushartha

24-25 June, Teatro Malibran ACCCA / SADLER’S WELLS COMPANY OF ELDERS (Portugal/UK) - Natural

24- 25 June, Teatro alle Tese LABORATORY DANCE PROJECT (South Korea) - Active Zone; No Comment; Fragments