Corona does not manage to steal art from the theater: This is the simple denominator that Osnabrück dance director Mauro de Candia brings to the stage with his new piece “kunstraub”. [...] The first part also tells about the movement restrictions that the corona pandemic is imposing on us. [...] The second part in Jan van Triest´s video sequence, which is as enjoyable as it is artfully implemented, of the thief from whom [...] the figures in the painting escape. [...] In the third and most enigmatic part, the escaped Schuhuplattler (Bavarian and Tyrolean shoe batter) reclaims the stage: beautifully bizarre in a traditional costume look. [...] Misagh Azimi makes congenially audible what de Candia and the Dance Company are working out: the Coronavirus may have taken away some of our freedom of movement, but not the creativity to express ourselves even if in a different way.
Christine Adam, Osnabrücker Zeitung/tanznetz.de, October 2020
A challlenging, multifaceted, sometimes grotesquely surreal exploration of current sensitivities. [...] The movements, of impressive agonizingly, are faithfully supported by the sound collage by Misagh Azimi especially composed for “Kunstraub”. [...] De Candias art robbery is pleasantly open and encourages to combine many dance impressions with our current state of mind.
Hans Butterhof, Westfälische Nachrichten/Dance for You, October 2020
Mauro de Candia and Patricia Stöckemann have managed to stage an exciting, humorous dance evening. [...] For the viewer, music, dance and pictures are a uniform pleasure. Quiet, lively or funny, depending on the situation. [...] A remarkable performance. [...] Kunstraub is staged with lot of wit, imagination and skill. Once again the ability of the dancers should be emphasized.
Adelheid Wessel, Radio Ostfriesland, October 2020
Life energy on stage. With humor and imagination, Osnabrück´s dance director Mauro de Candia and the Dance Company staged the new 65-minute dance creation ´Kunstraub´, which plays with the challenges impored by coronavirus on stage. [...] Absurd movements and characterization of the characters: the body is virtually redefining itself, the world is twisted and off its hinges. There´s something about the concept, and the music score by Misagh Azimi provides clinking thriller tension. [...] Kunstraub: a danced statement, a positive sign.
Werner Hülsmann, Osnabrücker Nachrichten, October 2020
Outstanding [...] is the first of the three parts of “Kunstraub” at the Osnabrück Theater. Mauro de Candia choreographs in a museum hall stage set cramped futile and impressively tormenting attemps of his dancers to establish contact with collegues from a circle of light. A vernissage curator wraps himself around his lectern in a grottesque manner, a visitor struggles for attention in front of a painting, a thief sneaks among them, while a reader writhes around a bench. Soon the overseer will meander helplessly on the ground. All are polarized at a distance and their freedom of movement is greatly reduced. Posture and behaviors are lost, bodies sink together. In the end, the entire ensemble lies on the floor as if it were going to die without its elixir of life, the direct physical communication.
Jens Fischer, taz.de, Dec 2, 2020