Bodytorque: The Australian Ballet and Van Cleef & Arpels join forces to nurture ballet’s brightest talents

DAVID HALLBERG once questioned the authenticity of his craft. “I would often ask myself whether I was truly artistic or whether I was simply an interpreter of the craft of dance,” he says. “What I soon realised was that interpreting a work of art is a creative process in itself.”

The art form he so eloquently discusses is, of course, dance — in particular, classical ballet — which, to the standard David Hallberg performed at, is incredibly difficult to replicate. Hallberg, now 40 years old and retired, will forever be revered as one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of all time; a true artist and visionary of the art form.

INTERPRETING a work of ART is a CREATIVE process in ITSELF

A dominant figure in the classical ballet world, he was a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the Bolshoi Ballet — the epitome of Ballet in many respects. Hallberg was also a principal guest artist with The Royal Ballet and resident guest artist with The Australian Ballet. And, in 2011, he made history when he became the first American to join the Bolshoi Ballet under the title premier dancer.

In 2013, at the peak of his career, he suffered what should have been a career-ending ankle injury. He spent most of his rehabilitation in Melbourne, working with The Australian Ballet’s in-house medical and physical therapy team — a world-class unit. He made a triumphant comeback in 2016, and enjoyed four more years of performing the world’s most renowned shows  before retiring in 2020.

But he’s been as busy as ever.

In 2020, before the impending Covid-19 lockdowns, Hallberg travelled to Australia to take the role as the new artistic director of The Australian Ballet (TAB) — a seemingly fitting role for the American who will forever be indebted to TAB.

Just this month, in partnership with Van Cleef & Arpels — a match made in heaven for many who appreciate the finer things in life — Hallberg presented ‘Bodytorque’, an annual program dedicated to showcasing (and nurturing) The Australian Ballet’s brightest up and coming talents, including emerging choreographers from within The Australian Ballet’s dancing ranks.

“Bodytorque is about emerging choreographic ideas for a new generation of creators,” says Hallberg.

DANCE has long stood out as a CENTRAL domain for the MAISON

“There’s a lot of vulnerability that happens with choreography. Choreographers put themselves out in front of you all, but there’s something to be said about the synergy of that vulnerability the artist’s present in their respective acts.”

Of course, those familiar with the Van Cleef & Arpels maison will know the long-standing affinity it has with dance. The exquisite and elegant aura of the brand fits seamlessly alongside the Australian Ballet and subsequent Ballet Ambassadors program, which the Maison has helped develop since 2021.

“A big thank you to our partner in Van Cleef & Arpels for helping us create and nurture the choreographic voice much like Van Cleef & Arpels does within their own house,” Hallberg adds.

Related: My life, my style: Fiona Tonkin on living and breathing ballet

The relationship between Van Cleef & Arpels and dance is a longstanding one, dating back to the 1920s. It was during this time that Louis Arpels — one of the Maison’s original founders — would frequent many Ballet performances in Paris. This passion and love for Ballet would go on to inspire the first Ballerina clips designed in 1940: An ode to the love Louis Arpels had for the ballet. This iconic jewellery staple would soon become a signature piece of Van Cleef & Arpels; the rose-cut diamond ballerinas, with their point shoes and a tutus made of diamonds or coloured stones echoed the dancers’ movements.

The passion the Maison had for dance was made even stronger when, in 1961, Claude Arpels met the famed choreographer, George Balanchine, who co-founded the New York City Ballet. Their passion and enthusiasm for both precious stones and ballet gave rise to the now famous performance, ‘Jewels’.

“Dance has long stood out as a central domain for the Maison, which is why we are committed to supporting repertory dance and choreographic creation,” said Nicolas Bos, President of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Bodytorque was held in Melbourne from August 11 -13. For more information on upcoming shows, visit australianballet.com.au