Fortier Danse-Création

In Lumière, Paul-André Fortier proposes a sophisticated look at the hustle and bustle of urban life. Six dancers, two women and four men, interpret this universe bathed in light and sound in solos, duets, trios and quartets. The piece opens in silence; Fortier dances alone on squares of light, as if the city itself were reflected under his feet. Then comes the pounding new beat of original electronic music accompanying the arrival of the other dancers on stage. Activated by light that is successively caressing and provocative, vibrant and restrained, a backdrop composed of multiple translucent screens evokes both the city’s illuminated windows and the moods of its inhabitants. Sophisticated lighting and video projections overlap to create a highly stylized environment in which ordinary people search for identity, encounter and confront one another, and then go on their way. In this very “dancerly” work, the choreographer composes subtle tableaux of contemporary life, animated by an inner pulse that projects a refined, enlightened view of life in today's cities.

“It is difficult to capture any or Fortier’s work in words, partly because it is such pure dance.” – Jenny Jackson, The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, 2004

Lumière

Choreographer Paul-André Fortier. Dancers Paul-André Fortier, Sandra Lapierre, Warwick Long, John Ottmann, Manuel Roque, Audrey Thibodeau. Original Music Alain Thibault. Lightning John Munro. Video Artist Patrick Masbourian. Scenographer Pierre Bruneau. Costumes Denis Lavoie. Rehearsal Mistress and Choreographer’s assistant Ginelle Chagnon.

Co-producers Grand Théâtre de Lorient, France; Cinquième Salle de la Place des Arts, Montreal, QC, Canada; Canada Dance Festival, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

This work is dedicated to Raymond Fortier. Premiered on June 2004 at the Canada Dance Festival, Ottawa, Canada.