The guest is on the right of the screen while on the left, on a blank page, the elected object is born, takes on color and, sometimes, pffft, disappears, under the pencil  of the illustrator Roberto Prual-Reavis. Historical, nostalgic, anecdotal, philosophical, metaphysical,  poetic (very often), this course with small but fascinating steps also deals with the good use of things. (...) Carolyn Carlson's "Dance of Fire", turned into a light bulb.

Source: Colette Boillon

California-born Carolyn Carlson defines herself first and foremost as a nomad. From San Francisco Bay to the University of Utah, from the Alwin Nikolais company in New York to Anne Béranger’s in France, from Paris Opera Ballet to Teatrodanza La Fenice in Venice, from the Théâtre de la Ville de Paris to Helsinki, from Ballet Cullberg to La Cartoucherie in Paris, from the Venice Biennale to Roubaix, Carlson is a tireless traveller, always seeking to develop and share her poetic universe.

She arrived in France in 1971 the beneficiary of Alwin Nikolais’s ideas about movement, composition and teaching. The following year, with Rituel pour un rêve mort, she wrote a poetic manifesto that defined an approach to her work that she has adhered to ever since: dance that is strongly oriented towards philosophy and spirituality. Carlson prefers the term ‘visual poetry’ to ‘choreography’ to describe her work. She creates works that express her poetic thoughts and a form of complete art within which movement occupies a special place. 

For four decades, Carlson has had significant influence and success in many European countries. She played a key role in the birth of French and Italian contemporary dance through the GRTOP (theatre research group) at Paris Opera Ballet and Teatrodanza at La Fenice.

She has created over 100 pieces, a large number of which are landmarks in the history of dance, including Density 21.5, The Year of the Horse, Blue Lady, Steppe, Maa, Signes, Writings on Water and Inanna. In 2006, her work was rewarded with the first ever Golden Lion given to a choreographer by the Venice Biennale.

Nowadays, Carolyn Carlson is director of two organisations: the Atelier de Paris-Carolyn Carlson, an international centre for masterclasses, residencies and creating new works, which she founded in 1999 and the National Choreographic Centre Roubaix Nord-Pas de Calais until December 2013, which produces and tours shows all over the world.

More information: en.carolyn-carlson.com

Independent photojournalist between 1968 and 1980, Bruno Ducourant then collaborated with many music magazines (including Rock & Folk, Extra  and Best) and signed, as a graphic designer, record  sleeves. After that he created ads as artistic director, and television "documentary and entertaining" as a  writer-director. 

Source: Bruno Ducourant's website

More information: www.brunoducourant.net