L'île

- The island -

It is up to the dancers to fill this utopic non-place « topos » and seek together the foundations of their « Ideal City » beyond the usual landmarks and choreographic structures all too orderly : Jean-Christophe Maillot gives them the impulse to experience individual and collective freedom. Removing the outlines, he enables them to explore the mass of a universe essentially tactile where dance oozes out of their bodies just as inland seas do. The dancers inject into their isle their own flow, their own movements both fluid and felted, sort of survival gestures which constitute an essential and instinctive way to communicate. The total amount of these instincts gives the ballet its breathing, its organic movement in a seamless pace from which dance flows naturally. On the Isle, the idea is not to move around but to stretch out the bodies and sensations to the entire structure.

Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Seigen Ono
Scenography and costumes: Philippe Favier
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
Duration: 25 min

Created on May 16th 1998, Salle Garnier Opera de Monte-Carlo as a part of the "Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo 1998"
Premiere held on August 1st 1998, Jules Verne Theater of Lisbon as part of "Lisbon World Exposition 1998"