Pina Bausch Quotes

Powerful Pina Bausch for Daily Growth

About Pina Bausch

Pina Bausch (1940-2009) was a groundbreaking German modern dance choreographer whose innovative style revolutionized the world of contemporary dance. Born on July 27, 1940, in Solingen, Germany, she showed an early interest in dance and began her training at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen under the guidance of the celebrated dancer and teacher Kurt Jooss. Bausch's work was deeply influenced by her personal experiences, as well as her fascination with human relationships, emotions, and social interactions. She sought to bridge the gap between dance and everyday life, creating performances that felt raw, intimate, and emotionally intense. Her unique choreographic style combined elements of contemporary, ballet, and folk dance, often incorporating non-traditional settings and props, such as furniture and household items. In 1973, Bausch founded her own company, Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, which would go on to become one of the most influential contemporary dance companies in the world. Over the next four decades, she created more than 40 original works, including seminal pieces like "Tanz der Vollendeten" (1978), "Cafe Muller" (1978), and "Bluebeard" (1976). Bausch's dances were known for their emotional resonance and powerful imagery, exploring themes of love, longing, and alienation with a raw honesty that captivated audiences worldwide. In 2008, she was awarded the Praemium Imperiale, one of the most prestigious prizes in the visual and performing arts. Pina Bausch passed away on June 30, 2009, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to influence dancers and choreographers around the world. Her innovative spirit and commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance have ensured her place as one of the most important figures in modern dance history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost."

Pina Bausch's quote, "Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost," emphasizes the transformative power of dance as a means to find oneself and navigate life's complexities. In essence, it suggests that dancing, in its various forms, can serve as an essential tool for self-expression, emotional release, and personal growth. Moreover, this quote conveys a profound sense of urgency, highlighting the importance of embracing one's passions and pursuing meaningful activities to avoid feelings of disconnection or aimlessness in life.


"The body doesn't lie."

Pina Bausch's statement, "The body doesn't lie," underscores the idea that physical expression is a genuine reflection of one's inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences. In other words, our bodies instinctively manifest our feelings, regardless of conscious control or intention. This quote highlights the powerful connection between mind and body, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to non-verbal cues in understanding an individual's true emotional state.


"I have always tried to make dances in which people can see their own lives reflected."

Pina Bausch's quote suggests that her dance creations aim to mirror or resonate with the audience's personal experiences, allowing them to recognize aspects of their lives within the performance. By creating relatable art, she invites people to engage emotionally, reflect on their own stories, and find shared human connections through the universal language of dance.


"Dancing is like a dream, it's an escape from reality."

This quote by Pina Bausch suggests that dance serves as a means to transcend everyday life and enter a realm of imagination, much like dreams do. It implies that through dance, people can momentarily free themselves from the constraints of reality and explore new experiences, emotions, and ideas in an abstract and creative manner.


"In dance you don't only move your body, but the body of the observer as well."

Pina Bausch's quote suggests that dance is not merely a physical performance limited to the dancer, but rather an emotional and psychological experience that extends to the audience. The movements, emotions, and stories conveyed through dance can resonate deeply within observers, prompting them to connect, empathize, or reflect on their own experiences. Thus, in essence, Bausch asserts that dance is a powerful tool capable of influencing not only the dancer's body but also the body of the observer - eliciting reactions, emotions, and self-examination within the audience.


When I first began choreographing, I never thought of it as choreography but as expressing feelings. Though every piece is different, they are all trying to get at certain things that are difficult to put into words. In the work, everything belongs to everything else - the music, the set, the movement and whatever is said.

- Pina Bausch

Thought, Expressing, Put, Everything Else

I want to feel something, as a person. I don't want to be bored.

- Pina Bausch

Want, Person, Feel, Bored

I'm not interested in how people move, but what moves them.

- Pina Bausch

How, Moves, Move, Not Interested

It was not like I planned even to be a choreographer. It just happened to me somehow.

- Pina Bausch

Me, Like, Even, Choreographer

Everything must come from the heart, must be lived.

- Pina Bausch

Everything, Come, Must, Lived

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