Part of ADACH's world stage program
Abu Dhabi - Following the success of ‘In-I’ (duet with Juliette Binoche) in January 2009, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is proud to present its second collaboration with the internationally acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan.
Khan will perform in the capital on February 25 and 26 as part of World Stage program (ADACH) unique initiative to feature the best of contemporary world music and dance from October 2009 until May 2010.
Akram Khan is celebrated for the vitality and innovation he brings to cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary expression. A master of kathak (classical Indian dance) and an award-winning choreographer of contemporary dance, Khan is continuously breaking boundaries between tradition and innovation, East and West. Collaborators include the National Ballet of China, Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche, ballerina Sylvie Guillem, singer Kylie Minogue, visual artists Anish Kapoor and Antony Gormley, and composers Steve Reich and Nitin Sawhney.
Gnosis is Khan’s latest solo work in which he returns to his classical Indian dance roots. Inspired by the Mahabharata story of queen Gandari, who blindfolds herself for life to follow her blind husband, ‘Gnosis’ explores the notion of inner knowledge and clouded vision, “seeing darkness, and yet being blind to light”. It features additional choreography by Gauri Sharma Tripathi and Sri Pratap Pawar, and is accompanied by world-class musicians from India, Japan and UK, including the acclaimed Kodo drummer, Yoshie Sunahata.
The UAE will experience a very special performance, the result of the artists’ residence in Abu Dhabi for two weeks, to explore Arabic musical traditions and sounds and weave those influences into his choreography and vision. As a result, Akram is joined on stage by two young Emirates-based musicians who will play on Oud and Qanoon.
For Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, this performance represents the second part of a trilogy have embarked on with this uniquely gifted choreographer and artist. In 2009, (ADACH) welcomed Khan and Juliette Binoche in 'In-I' an esoteric and sensitive dance-theatre dialogue between a man and a woman. This year, Khan present 'Gnosis', a solo piece rooted in Akram’s Indian Kathak heritage and his interaction with Arabic and World music.
In 2011, (ADACH) commissioning Akram to create an entirely new work, inspired by the Middle East and the storytelling legacy and spiritual heritage of our Region’s rich culture. 'Vertical Road' will be Akram Khan’s latest contemporary ensemble work, and will continue his ambition to explore the interface between different cultures and creative disciplines. Khan brings together a host of performers and artists from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, diverse in age, craft and background.
‘Vertical Road’ will mark another milestone in the creative partnership between Akram Khan Company and Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. It will premiere in October 2010 at Sadler’s Wells, London, before embarking on an international tour across North America, Europe, India, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.
PRESS QUOTES ON GNOSIS
“There’s a phenomenon on the dance scene and his name is Akram Khan…”
LONDON EVENING STANDARD
“Sheer beauty…simply astonishing”
TELEGRAPH.CO.UK . 17 NOV, 09
“Hypnotic and intoxicating… His art speaks tremendously of tremendous things.”
FINANCIAL TIMES. 17 NOV, 09
“(Khan) takes you to the outer reaches of dance nirvana.”
“The man danced Kathak like a god.”
THE ARTS DESK. 17 NOV, 09
“While Khan’s kathak confirms his enduring virtuosity, it was the extract from his new work that reveals his innovative intelligence…he is a true choreographer — someone who asks what it is to be human and provides the answers in dance.”
LONDON EVENING STANDARD. 17 NOV, 09