A major figure of the European contemporary dance scene - specifically in France and Italy - Carolyn Carlson’s career spans more than four decades as dancer, choreographer, instructor, and poet. Over one hundred creations round out the California-bred, Finnish descendant’s repertoire. As a leading dancer and forerunner of Alwin Nikolais, she created works drawn from her poetic imagination, projecting to spiritual and philosophical tonalities.She was the first ever choreographer to receive the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, in 2006, for which she was artistic director of its dance sector from 1999 to 2002. In 2014 she established the Carolyn Carlson Company, touring throughout the world while simultaneously in residence at Théatre National de Chaillot in Paris, for two consecutive seasons.2016 kicks off with the company taking over the Chaillot, from January to February, with a mixed programme comprising of five not-to-be-missed performances, a number of film screenings, and dance classes, before touring in France.1. “Seeds (Back to Earth)” Premiering January 13 is Carlson’s “Seeds (Back to Earth)” with three live dancers accompanied by virtual dancer Elyx, a creation designed by Yacine Aït Kaci in 2011. A joyful ode to Mother Earth and a call for environmental awareness, it promises to steal the hearts of youngsters and adults alike, shifting between reality and imagination through dazzling, projected animations and vibrant choreography.“Seeds (Back to Earth)”: January 13 – 24, 2016 at Théâtre National de Chaillot (salle Maurice Béjart), Paris and, April 5 – 6, 2016 at Centre Chorégraphique National Rillieux-la-Pape, France2. “Density 21.5” and 3. “Dialogue with Rothko”This double bill consists of an old and a new solo work. Inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche, Carolyn Carlson created “Density 21.5” for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1973. Premiered last June, this is the first revival with dancer Isida Micani stepping out as a mythological hybrid of a woman-bird into a captivating solo, accompanied by Timon Nicolas’s live flute.American Abstract Expressionist painter Mark Rothko, whose philosophical influence also included Nietzsche, inspired Carolyn Carlson’s solo, “Dialogue with Rothko.” This meditation on the intersection between visual arts, performing arts and poetry was created in 2013 and is performed by Carlson set to live, onstage cello played by Jean-Paul Dessy. Based on Carlson’s book, Dialogue with Rothko, Untitled: Black, Red over Black on Red published in 2012 by Pompidou Centre, this spell-binding performance is an embrace of form, space, and color.“Density 21.5” / “Dialogue with Rothko”: February 5 – 7, 2016 at Théâtre National de Chaillot (salle Maurice Béjart), Paris; March 12-13, 2016 at Théâtre de Grasse, Grasse, France; March 16, 2016 at The Forum, Fréjus, France; March 19, 2016 at Pessac en scènes, Pessac, France4. “Double Vision”“Double Vision” is a feast for the eyes, an astounding solo set to an original, intense score composed by Nicolas de Zorzi, which Carlson created in collaboration with Electronic Shadow in 2006. The gigantic dress that covers the stage is an extension of the backdrop, onto which projections orchestrate a universe in constant flux, mutating in synchronicity with Carlson’s movements. She becomes a phantom that floats amidst clear blue skies and dives into deep, mysterious waters, navigating through infinite landscapes and cityscapes that shuck her and throw her back into worlds unknown and imagined.Whether it is the stage itself or the dancer on-stage that moves and moves us, this visual poem melds the body with cutting-edge-technology, challenging our visual perception as a sort of contemporary take on 17th century magic lantern projections. “Double Vision”: February 10 - 12, 2016 at Théâtre National de Chaillot, Paris, France5. “Pneuma”Drawn from Gaston Bachelard’s Air and Dreams: An Essay on the Imagination of Movement (1988), Carlson’s “Pneuma” is an ethereal ballet for twenty-two dancers of the Bordeaux National Opera Ballet, set to music by Gavin Bryars and Philip Jeck. Symbolic of the myth of Icarus, Carlson represents the aspirations of humanity using dancers in constant struggle for flight, elevated and about to take off, only to be grounded by earthly forces. “Pneuma”: February 17-20, 2016 at Théâtre National de Chaillot, Paris, France Film Screenings from the Carolyn Carlson Collection After last year’s film screenings paying tribute to Carolyn Carlson’s collaboration with composer René Aubry, completing the overview, a new selection of films from the Carolyn Carlson Collection will be screened at Théatre National de Chaillot running February 5 – 20. The collection consists of recordings of shows, rehearsals, improvisations, master classes, documentaries, and TV interviews from the 1960s up until today, thirty of which are available to view on Numeridanse.tv.Big Class and Master ClassThe Big Class, a dance class facilitated by Carolyn Carlson and designed especially for first timers, aged 14 and over, will be held on January 16 in the Grand Foyer of the Chaillot.Now known as the National Center for Choreographic Development, the Atelier de Paris-Carolyn Carlson at La Cartoucherie de Vincennes in Paris was founded by Carlson in 1999. Since then it has served as a space for dance education, delivering workshops and master classes led by some of the most remarkable dancers and choreographers from around the world. Carlson will lead master classes for experienced dancers, over the course of six days, opening the last hour of the last class to public spectatorship.Big Class: January 14 at Théâtre National de Chaillot, Paris, France. Master Class: February 29 - March 5, 2016 at Atelier de Paris-Carolyn Carlson, La Cartoucherie de Vincennes, Paris
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