Slow, heavy and blue
1984
Choreographer(s) : Carlson, Carolyn (France)
Present in collection(s): Carolyn Carlson Company
Video producer : Het Nationale Ballet - Henk van Dijk
Slow, heavy and blue
1984
Choreographer(s) : Carlson, Carolyn (France)
Present in collection(s): Carolyn Carlson Company
Video producer : Het Nationale Ballet - Henk van Dijk
Slow, heavy and blue
This ballet was designed by Carolyn Carlson for the dancers of the Groupe de Recherches Théâtres de l'Opéra de Paris (GRTOP). Having settled in France in 1971, the choreographer was named Étoile-choreographer at the Opéra de Paris in 1974 by Rolf Liebermann. The latter gave her the opportunity to develop her very special work with the creation of the GRTOP Group within which the choreographer and her dancers would devote themselves to the most widely varying research. In all nine volunteers signed up for this adventure: Jean-Christophe Paré, Serge Daubrac as sujets; Jean-Marie Didière, Katia Grey, Fanny Gaida as coryphées; Bruno Lehaut as quadrille; Carole Arbonies, Marie-Claude Pietragalla, Eric Vu-An. Slow, heavy and blue is one of the works resulting from this research within the group initiated by Carolyn Carlson.
Carlson, Carolyn
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
Groupe de recherche chorégraphique de l'Opéra de Paris (GRCOP)
Le groupe de recherche chorégraphique de l'Opéra de Paris (Paris Opera Choreographic Research Group) is a group of twelve dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet founded by Jacques Garnier in 1981.
Focusing on contemporary creation, the GRCOP invites established choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, Karole Armitage, Lucinda Childs and young French designers like Régine Chopinot, Maguy Marin, François Verret, Karine Saporta and Philippe Decouflé, for classically trained dancers but of contemporary aspiration.
Filling a mission within the Paris Opera, the GRCOP was set up only eight years ago for a metro dance awareness work.
Slow, heavy and blue
Choreography : Carolyn Carlson
Interpretation : Groupe de Recherche Chorégraphique de l'Opéra de Paris
Original music : René Aubry
Production / Coproduction of the video work : Henk van Dijk, Het Nationale Ballet of Amsterdam
Duration : 41'23
Genres and styles
Parcours
Genres and styles
Parcours
Dance is a rather vast term, which covers a myriad of specificities. These depend on the culture of a country, on a period, on a place. This Journey proposes a visit through dance genres and styles.
Modern Dance and Its American Roots [1900-1930] From Free Dance to Modern Dance
Parcours
Modern Dance and Its American Roots [1900-1930] From Free Dance to Modern Dance
Parcours
At the dawn of the 20th century, in a rapidly changing West, a new dance appeared: Modern Dance. In the United States as in Europe, modern trends emerge simultaneously and intertwine in thier development. Let's dive into the beginnings of American modern dance!
Outdoor dances
Parcours
Outdoor dances
Parcours
Stage theater and studio are not the only places of work or performance of a choreographic piece. Sometimes dancers and choreographers dance outside.
Contemporary techniques
Parcours
Contemporary techniques
Parcours
This Parcours questions the idea that contemporary dance has multiples techniques. Different shows car reveal or give an idea about the different modes of contemporary dancer’s formations.
[1970-2018] Neoclassical developments: They spread worldwide, as well as having multiple repertoires and dialogues with contemporary dance.
Parcours
[1970-2018] Neoclassical developments: They spread worldwide, as well as having multiple repertoires and dialogues with contemporary dance.
Parcours
CHRISTIAN & FRANÇOIS BEN AÏM ET L'ÉLAN VITAL - échappées chorégraphiques salvatrices
Exposition virtuelle
CHRISTIAN & FRANÇOIS BEN AÏM ET L'ÉLAN VITAL - échappées chorégraphiques salvatrices
Exposition virtuelle
Avec cette exposition virtuelle et à travers la démarche du tandem fraternel, pénétrons dans le monde des BEN AÏM et dans l’univers de leur dernière pièce : FACÉTIES.
Le défilé de la Biennale de la danse
Exposition virtuelle
Le défilé de la Biennale de la danse
Exposition virtuelle
La biennale de la danse créée en 1984 à l’initiative de Guy Darmet voit en 1996 s’ajouter à son programme un nouvel événement : le Défilé.
When reality breaks in
Parcours
When reality breaks in
Parcours
Why do I dance ?
Webdoc
Why do I dance ?
Webdoc
Les Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis
Exposition virtuelle
Les Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis
Exposition virtuelle
Une traversée de l’histoire des Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis, depuis le Concours de Bagnolet jusqu’aujourd’hui.
[1930-1960]: Neoclassicism in Europe and the United States, entirely in tune with the times
Parcours
[1930-1960]: Neoclassicism in Europe and the United States, entirely in tune with the times
Parcours
(LA)HORDE : RÉSISTER ENSEMBLE
Exposition virtuelle
(LA)HORDE : RÉSISTER ENSEMBLE
Exposition virtuelle
Découvrez le collectif (LA)HORDE à travers cette exposition, réalisée par un groupe d'étudiants de l'Université de Lyon 2 issus du Master Arts de la scène et du spectacle vivant (théâtre et danse), en collaboration avec la Biennale de la danse - édition 2021 et Numeridanse.
Genesis of work
Parcours
Genesis of work
Parcours
A dance show is created in multiples steps between the enunciation of an initial desire which launch the project and the first representation. This parcours presents diff
Dance in Quebec: Collectivities in motion
Parcours
Dance in Quebec: Collectivities in motion
Parcours
This Parcours introduces several extracts of works by contemporary Quebecois choreographers, situating them in an anthropological perspective.
Dance and percussion
Parcours
Dance and percussion
Parcours
Découvrez de quelles manières ont collaboré chorégraphes et éléments percussifs.
Contemporary Italian Dance : the 2000s
Parcours
Contemporary Italian Dance : the 2000s
Parcours
Panorama of contemporary dance practices in Italy during the 2000s.
Reinterpreting works: Swan Lake, Giselle
Parcours
Reinterpreting works: Swan Lake, Giselle
Parcours
Some great shows are revisited through the centuries. Here are two examples of pieces reinterpreted by different choreographers.
Do you mean Folklores?
Parcours
Do you mean Folklores?
Parcours
Presentation of how choreographers are revisiting Folklore in contemporary creations.