Asphalte: A contemporary dance creation by Pierre Rigal and Compagnie dernière minute

Where: Rialto Center for the Arts (80 Forsyth Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303)
When: October 30 at 5:00 pm



After a huge success in Paris, Lausanne, Sydney, and around the world, French choreographer, Pierre Rigal’s contemporary creation, Asphalte, made his national début in Atlanta for France-Atlanta 2011, at Georgia State’s Rialto Center for the Arts.

Asphalte is an innovative dance performance, weaving together high-energy elements of hip-hop, popping and krumping and animated by an artistic light show, making it a true multi-media creation that incorporates both the poetry and the absurdity of post-modern existence. The work, which originally debuted in 2009 at the Suresnes Cités Danse Festival in France, is an exploration of modern urban reality as animated by a troupe of five young dancers, known as the Compagnie Derniere Minute.

Renowned for his original and progressive creations, French choreographer Pierre Rigal is a perfect example of the up-and-coming young talent gaining respect and popularity in France. After studying economics and mathematics at the University of Barcelona and cinema at the Ecole Supérieure d’Audiovisuel de Toulouse, his transition into contemporary dance was influenced by meeting choreographers and directors. In 2002, he joined a dance company with the choreographer Gilles Jobin. After founding the Compagnie Dernière Minute in November 2003, Pierre Rigal choreographed and produced Erection (2003), and Arrêts de Jeu (2006) with the director Aurélien Bory. His solo, Press debuted in 2008 as international Associate of the Gate Theater in London. His most recent piece, Micro was introduced in January 2011 at the Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne in Switzerland. Rigal’s presentation in Atlanta will be his début in the city.



For tickets and more information, visit the Rialto Center for the Arts Box Office.

: : Master Class with La Compagnie Dernière Minute : :

Presented in partnership between the Rialto Center, the Georgia Department of Education, the City of Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and France-Atlanta, Pierre Rigal’s dance company presented master classes to local dancers.



asphalte blue - copie "Asphalte, by Pierre Rigal, buzzed with disparate ideas. Set around a large light box that glowed in neon colours, its montage of scenes played variously with mood (urban-warrior attitude, boisterous high jinks), visual gags (shadowplay, comic chicken dances) and offbeat dramatic scenarios (imagine Monsieur Hulot in the ghetto)." - The Guardian



photos: © pierregrosbois.com



This event was presented with the generous support of the City of Toulouse and the Insitut Français.

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