Vicious Cycle

The Onassis Stegi’s 1st New Choreographers Festival brings five talented up-and-coming choreographers together in an exciting program featuring four new productions along with some surprising collaborations and original points of view. The promising young artists have already given us some fascinating insights into their work and personal idioms through their collaborations with established choreographers and important venues on the international dance scene.
Artistic Director of the Festival: Katia Arfara

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

1 & 2 February
Elpida Orfanidou - Juan Perno (19:00)
"Elpid’ arc"

Paul Blackman & Christine Gouzeli (21:00)
"Vicious Cycle"

6 & 7 February
Lenio Kaklea (19:00)
"deux∙l"

Panagiota Kallimani (21:00)
"Contreplongées"

Paul Blackman completed his dance training at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. After performing with the West Australian Ballet (2003) and working professionally with Buzz Dance Theatre (2004-2005), he decided to venture overseas. By 2006 he was already working in London and New York with both Jasmin Vardimon Company and Battery Dance Company and touring internationally. He was also one of the first members of the "Dancing to Connect" program, which has now reached over 54 countries worldwide. That same year he was awarded best male dancer in the Ausdance Awards, while in 2007 he was awarded best male performer by Article19 (London). In 2010 he participated in the “50Days” workshop led by Master David Zambrano, training and performing in both “Flying Low” & “Passing Through” techniques with 50 dancers from around the globe. More recently he was part of "Tierras Enamoradas," an event created by David Zambrano and performed in 2013. Now based in Europe, he continues to perform/teach/create for such companies and institutions as Jasmin Vardimon (UK), RootlessRoot (Greece), Sadler’s Wells (UK), Sussex Downs (UK), SEAD (Australia), the National School of Dance in Greece and the Icelandic Listaháskóli. Currently, he is focused on creating new work and further developing it with his own Jukstapoz Co.

Christine Gouzelis graduated from the National School of Dance in Greece in 2004 and received a scholarship for ImpulsDanz (DanceWEB) that year. In 2005, she became a company member of Jasmin Vardimon (UK), playing an influential role in the creation of “Justitia” & “Yesterday,” which she toured nationally and internationally. She also performed with the Hellenic Dance Company in choreographies by Wim Vandekeybus, RootlessRoot, Anton Lachky, Pascal Rioult, Athina Valha, and others. In 2010, she took part in the “50days” workshop with Master David Zambrano in Costa Rica, training and performing in “Flying Low” and “Passing Through” techniques with 50 dancers from around the world. She has toured in Australia, Asia, Europe, and the U.S., collaborating, performing, and leading seminars and workshops at the Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance, Greenwich Dance, Sadler’s Wells, Hubbard Street Dance, Dance New Amsterdam, Strut Dance and Icelandic Listaháskóli. Previously a rehearsal director for Anton Lachky and Athina Vahla, in 2012 she became rehearsal director for the Jasmin Vardimon Company, a member of the creative team and responsible for the tour of the latest production of “Freedom.” In 2013, she was part of David Zambranos’s "Tierras Enamoradas" performed in Brussels. Having choreographed for Sadler’s Wells, SEAD, Sussex Downs, the National School of Dance in Greece, and the Icelandic Listaháskóli, she is now creating new work and developing it for her Jukstapoz Co.

Jukstapoz company was founded in 2010. Jukstapoz means “to place side by side, especially in comparison or contrast”. Paul Blackman and Christine Gouzelis began assembling handmade, tangible works which entail envisioning a world of aesthetic distinctions. Exploring aspheric views to relevant themes and issues from various perspectives, they add their unique cinematic approach while focusing on detail and intention. The subjects they confront are turned upside-down until they begin to resemble juxtaposed images of a welcoming, yet inescapable introspection. Previous Works: "Limbo, Compass, Folly, I.C.U" (2012), "To/Get/Her" (2011), "Self Storage" (2010).

Discussion with choreographers participating in the 1st "New Choreographers" Festival

2 February 2014
22:30 | Upper Stage

Moderated by:
Christiana Galanopoulou, art historian, artistic director of MIRfestival.