Photo Credits: Solange dos Santos, Mariano Silva
Maria Helena Pinto, founder of Dans’Artes, holds a Ph.D in Arts Aesthetics, Science and Technology, Option: Dance and Theatre Studies, at the University of Paris 8 in France.
Ms. Pinto is a choreographer, a dancer, a dance teacher, a contemporary dance field researcher in Mozambique and an artistic/cultural shows and events producer. Degree in Arts Technology Science and Aesthetics, Theatre/Dance option at the University of Paris 8, under a scholarship granted by the French Government. Ms. Pinto is a co-founder of the Isarc Arts and Culture University in Mozambique. She was one of the chief choreographers of Companhia Nacional de Canto e Dança de Moçambique (National Singing and Dance Company of Mozambique) from 1995 to 2009 and Artistic Director in 2004. She was the jury chair of the FUNDAC Prize, Dance-Theatre category in Mozambique in 2006 and 2009. Ms. Pinto is the founder of FIDC project, first International Contemporary Dance Festival in Mozambique and was its general coordinator in 2006. Ms. Pinto is the founder and President of the Choreographic Research Center Association in Maputo. She is the founder of the Dans’Artes architectonic construction project to be implanted in Djonasse community, in Matola-Rio Maputo-Mozambique.
She is the author of the following choreographic creations:
“Amadsofer” (1995) co-created with Augusto Cuvilas
“Amatodos” (1998) co-created with Pérola Jaime et Augusto Cuvilas
« Experiência » 2000
« Si » 2000
« Change the House » 2000
« Nascimento » 2000
“Tempestade” (2001)
“Kudzila” (2003)
“Dentro e Fora” (2004)
“Maputo”, (2004)
“16 de junho de 1960” (2005),
“STOP SIDA” (2005)
“O Olho d’a percepção” (2005)
“Ventos de Mbuzine” (2006)
“Passo em feminino” (2006)
“Sombra” (2007)
« Mar Vermelho » (2008)
« Noticias » (2008)
« De passo em Feminino Para Mim » (2009)
« Cala-te » (2011)
Festivals, Theaters and countries
Dance Africa, USA, Américan Dance Festival, USA, 5th African Choreography Meeting, Madagascar New Dance Festival, South Africa, Djomba Festival South Africa, Festival Sharp, Switszerland, Panorama festival Brazil, Dance Festival of Seara Brazil, SESC Theatre Brazil, 6° Rencontres chorégraphiques africaines, France, Festival Bamako-Danse-Bamako Mali, International Contemporary Dance Festival Moçambique, Festival Interculturel Ilha de Mayotte, 2nd Dance Platform, Mozambique, Danse l’Afrique Danse, Tunisia, Centre National de la Danse de Pantin, France, Artistic Meeting «Dialogue » Italy, Festival des Danses Métisse Guyanne Francesa, African Cultural Center, Oslo Norway, National Art Museum, Mozambique, Festival Kay Fecc, Dakar Sénégal, Now Helsinki Finland, La Villette, Paris France, Teatro Arezzo, Italia, French-Mozambican Cultural Center, Mozambique, Africa Theatre, Mozambique
Projects
Photographic exhibition on the theme woman-mother called Woman-Mother.
Collaborated with the national newspaper “Noticias” writing articles on the dance current situation in Mozambique.
Dans’Artes is a dream of an architectonic construction of an artistic village in the Djonasse community, Matola-Rio, Maputo province, in Mozambique.
This artistic village intends to bring infrastructures to accommodate artistic-pedagogic training activities, art and culture diffusion (Crafts and Paintings exhibitions, photographic exhibitions, different artistic expressions festivals, musical concerts, dance shows, theater, circus, edition of literary writings, etc).
Dans’Artes aims at contributing and steering with conservation and exhibition of cultural and artistic assets, contemporary artistic creations, etc.
At Dans’Artes a flow of artistic cultural interchanges shall emerge at local, regional and international level, that shall mean a support for the global development of the central areas of its development, bringing benefits not only for Mozambique, but also for the different countries of the continent and of the world.
This is the crossing place of artists, cultural players, cultural operators, professionals, amateurs and public of different universes and origins.
This artistic village that is being implanted within the Djonasse community aims at interacting with local natives, enabling the establishment of new public for national and international arts and culture.
Dans’Artes shall create new jobs, and carry out training in different fields consequently contributing for the social and economic development.