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| Compagnie Kaori Ito | |
|---|---|
| Name | Compagnie Kaori Ito |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Kaori Ito |
| Genre | Contemporary dance |
| Location | Paris, France |
Compagnie Kaori Ito is a contemporary dance company founded by choreographer Kaori Ito in Paris, France. The company is known for interdisciplinary projects that intersect dance with visual arts, theater, music, and film, collaborating with institutions across Europe and Asia. It has presented works at major festivals and venues while engaging in artist residencies and cultural exchange programs.
The company was established after Kaori Ito trained at institutions such as the École supérieure de danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower, the Trisha Brown Company, and studied in contexts linked to Maurice Béjart, Pina Bausch, and the Martha Graham School. Early milestones include premieres at venues connected to the Théâtre de la Ville, the Maison de la Culture de Grenoble, and the Festival d'Avignon. Over the years the company developed ties with performing arts centers like the Centre Pompidou, the Palais de Tokyo, and the Opéra de Lyon while participating in programs by the Institut français, the European Commission, and the Cité internationale des arts.
The company's aesthetic draws on influences from choreographers and artists such as Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham, William Forsythe, Akram Khan, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui while dialoguing with composers and visual artists like Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Olafur Eliasson, and Anish Kapoor. Repertoire blends narrative and abstract forms found in works by Judson Dance Theater, Butoh, and postmodern dance pioneers, and invokes theatrical strategies akin to Robert Wilson and Peter Brook. Musical collaborations reference contemporary composers including Nico Muhly, John Adams, and performers from ensembles such as Ensemble InterContemporain and London Sinfonietta.
Notable productions include premieres that were programmed alongside festivals and works by choreographers like Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Angelin Preljocaj. The company's repertoire has been staged in contexts with companies and works by Ballet Preljocaj, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Sadler's Wells, and festivals such as La Biennale di Venezia, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Xavier Le Roy-influenced platforms, and the Festival d'Automne à Paris. Productions have incorporated scenography elements referencing artists like JR (artist), Christian Boltanski, and lighting designers associated with Joan Jonas presentations.
The company has held residencies at institutions like the Tate Modern, the Centre National de la Danse, the Fondation Cartier, and the La Villette complex. Collaborative projects include work with directors and performers from the Comédie-Française, musicians linked to the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and contemporary art curators from the Musée d'Orsay and Musée National d'Art Moderne. International partnerships have involved exchanges with ensembles such as Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and contemporary venues like The Joyce Theater and Tokyo Opera City.
The company is led by Kaori Ito with artistic support from choreographers, dancers, composers, and visual artists connected to networks including the Maison des Arts de Créteil, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. Ensemble members have backgrounds linked to companies like Batsheva Dance Company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Les Ballets C de la B, and training institutions such as the Juilliard School and SEAD (Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance).
The company and its founder have received honors and nominations from organizations including the Laurence Olivier Awards-adjacent circuits, the Prix de la Critique, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and support from funding bodies like the Centre National de la Musique and the Fondation BNP Paribas. Performances have been recognized at festivals including the Avignon Festival, the Venice Biennale, and the Festival d’Automne, with critical attention from publications such as Le Monde, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
Touring engagements have taken the company to venues such as Sadler's Wells Theatre, Carnegie Hall-adjacent festivals, the Southbank Centre, the KunstFestSpiele Hannover, and major Asian stages including Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and Taipei National Theater. International festivals and cultural agencies like the British Council, the Japan Foundation, and the Asia-Europe Foundation have facilitated tours and co-productions across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Category:Contemporary dance companies Category:Performing arts in Paris