About

Minna Tuovinen & Martin Heslop

Welcome to our blog, where we invite you to explore the captivating world of dance. At 'It Takes Two - Blog',„ we are passionate about sharing our thoughts and experiences on a diverse range of topics related to dance. From the joy of dancing together to the intricacies of dance art, from the elegance of tango to the innovation of contemporary dance, we aim to provide you with valuable insights and inspiration.

One of our key focuses is on embodied communication - the unique language of the body that allows dancers to express themselves and connect with others on a deeper level. We delve into the power of movement and how it can foster meaningful connections and relationships. We also explore the creative aspects of dance, highlighting the ways in which dancers express their individuality and push the boundaries of artistic expression.

But our blog goes beyond just dance. We also emphasize the importance of cultural wellbeing and its impact on our lives. We discuss how dance can contribute to our overall wellbeing, both on a personal and societal level. We also shed light on the various cultural wellbeing services available and how they can enhance our experiences in the dance world.

We are excited to embark on this journey with you, and we hope that our blog will serve as a source of inspiration and new insights. Join us as we navigate the dynamic and transformative world of dance and art. Together, let's uncover the beauty and significance of movement, creativity, and the connections they foster.

A little bit more about our journey together

You can read more about our work at the following websites

• improtango.fi
• parisuhdetango.fi
• hyvinyhdessa.fi
• relationshiptango.fi
• improtango.info

Education

Minna Tuovinen and Martin Heslop have both studied with pioneers of contemporary and modern dance in London (Laban Centre for Movement and Dance) and New York (Martha Graham, Erick Hawkins and Merce Cunningham). Minna holds a Master's degree in Choreography from the Dance Department of the Theatre Academy.

Artistic work

The pair began working together in 1991 and together they have created more than 60 works, many of which have been commissioned for festivals in Finland or abroad. Both are choreographers, dancers, filmmakers and educators. A prolific and innovative couple, they have brought a fresh and unique approach to all their work. They are passionate about following their own path.

Then came Tango

In 2003, Minna and Martin started to study Argentinian tango and the idea of combining contemporary dance and tango came to them. They visited Buenos Aires for the first time in 2003, which turned into a years-long odyssey into the world of tango. Since then they have returned to Buenos Aires regularly and also lived and worked there from 2007 to 2009.

Emotional improvisation

Tango has influenced their work in many ways. It has expanded and enriched their movement vocabulary and introduced elements of storytelling, allowing them to explore and interpret deeper emotional content. Emotional improvisation has become an important part of performance. Improtango was born out of a desire to create a contemporary social dance/art dance with subtle communication, creativity and equal roles at its core. Using Laban's movement analysis and re-creating the basic elements of tango, Improtango was born.

Emotionally Famous

In works such as Tango for the radically anonymous and Tango for the emotionally famous, they explore emotional impulses and how they create tensions in a group and how these tensions are transformed into violence, fear or laughter. Their most recent works have focused on the tensions in relationships in the utopian world of the future or the past, coloured by the illusions created by films. Improtango has continued to evolve and expand into cultural well-being dance arts methods that have been widely used for different target groups.

As2wrists Dance company

Minna and Martin founded As2wrists Dance Company in 1999. In 2021 the group changed its name to Improtango Company. The group has become known for original, visually powerful and emotionally evocative works that combine rich movement language, multi-level tension and storytelling. The original style and movement language is the result of two choreographers/dancers working closely together for 30 years. The group's work is of high quality and versatility. It has received much praise for its works combining tango and contemporary dance, which have been performed in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Europe and Finland.

Teaching

Martin and Minna have been teaching together for 30 years. As teachers they have taught and inspired Finnish dance makers and actors through their work and teaching at the Theatre Academy, as well as teaching and choreographing at various dance schools and institutions throughout Finland and teaching courses for different target groups. They have been visiting teachers at several universities in Sweden, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia.