Why is Kenneth Kvarnström leaving?

Dansens Hus? It seems to be a case of “ars longa, vita brevis.” Confronted with the choice of whether to extend his contract as director of the Stockholm dance centre after 2008 or not, Kenneth Kvarnström decided that life is simply too short. While Kvarnström the bureaucrat was quite content in his influential position as director, Kvarnström the choreographer was becoming progressively frustrated as time past.

When it came to making a decision, Kvarnström the choreographer had the last word: “It is quite impossible to combine being director of Dansens Hus and work as a free lance choreographer. The board really wanted me to stay on, they were even willing to accept whatever arrangement I made to combine the two activities, but for me it was not possible. And if I have to choose, I choose to be a choreographer.” Judging from the bubbling anticipation in his voice as he talks about his future projects, revealing no more than that they will be both choreography and installation art, the bureaucrat has retired, possibly for good, and the artist is on the move. So watch out for a creation signed Kenneth Kvarnström appearing somewhere near you soon.