Villa Wigman

Was it a sanctuary? Or a prison? A journalist in 1928 described Villa Wigman as a “cloister,” strictly separated from the outside world. Today, we stand before this very villa at Bautzner Straße 107, and I invite you to step inside its intriguing history. Villa Wigman, originally a grand residential house built in 1856, became synonymous with modern dance in the 20th century. Its transformation began in 1920 when Mary Wigman, a pioneer of expressive dance, established her school here. The villa, bought with funds from Wigman’s friend and former student Berthe Trümpy, quickly became a hub of creative energy. Dresden, vibrant with artistic life, proved the perfect backdrop. Wigman had connections to artists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and the city embraced her innovative dance style. The villa itself underwent a dramatic change in 1927. With the help of private and public funding, mostly from abroad and notably Switzerland, architect Otto Geiler expanded the building. He added a connecting structure and a hall complex in the style of classical modernism. This allowed the dance instruction to move from the main house to larger, dedicated spaces. The original villa, with its elaborate facade and hipped roof, was also renovated to suit Wigman’s needs. The renovations created not only studios but also a private apartment for Wigman herself, complete with a small roof garden. Wigman’s influence extended beyond the physical space of Villa Wigman. She nurtured generations of dancers, including Gret Palucca and Hanya Holm, a key figure in American modern dance. Her Dresden years, from 1920 to 1942, marked the peak of her artistic work. She created internationally acclaimed solo and group pieces right here, shaping the landscape of modern dance and establishing “German Dance” as a global force. Villa Wigman wasn’t just a school; it was a meeting place for artistic minds. Notable figures like the Indian philosopher and dancer Rabindranath Tagore visited, engaging with the vibrant artistic community that Wigman cultivated. In 1942, facing pressure from the Nazi regime, Wigman sold the school to the city and relocated to Leipzig. Villa Wigman continued to serve the arts, becoming part of the Dresden Conservatory and later, in 1988, the “Kleine Szene,” a small stage for the Semper Opera. It remained a performance and rehearsal space until 2017. Today, Villa Wigman, having undergone extensive renovations, stands as a testament to its rich history. It is now a production center for performing arts, particularly dance, managed by the “Villa Wigman für Tanz e. V.” association. It continues to inspire and nurture artistic expression, preserving the legacy of Mary Wigman and her contribution to the world of dance.