Carolyn Carlson
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.
Today, Carolyn Carlson is director of two organisations: the National Choreographic Centre Roubaix Nord-Pas de Calais, which produces and tours shows all over the world, and the Atelier de Paris-Carolyn Carlson, an international centre for masterclasses, residencies and creating new works, which she founded in 1999.
Carolyn Carlson career highlights
1965-1971
Leading figure in the Alwin Nikolais company
1974-1980
Etoile-Chorégraphe at the Paris Opera Ballet (GRTOP)
1980-1984
Artistic Director of the Teatro La Fenice, Venice
1985-1991
Resident Artist at the Théâtre de la Ville, Paris
1991-1992
Resident Artist at the Helsinki City Theater and the Finnish National Ballet
1994-1995
Artistic Director of the Cullberg Ballet, Stockholm
1999-2002
Artistic Director of the dance section of the Venice Biennale
Since 1999
Artistic director of the Atelier de Paris - Carolyn Carlson, Master classes centre
Since 2004
Artistic Director of the National Choreographic Centre of Roubaix Nord-Pas de Calais
