Paul-André Fortier
Encyclopedia
Paul-André Fortier is a Canadian choreographer and dancer, living in Montreal.
Paul-André Fortier’s career as a dancer started in 1973 with Groupe Nouvelle Aire in Montreal, where well-known choreographers of the same generation such as Edouard Lock
, Ginette Laurin, or Daniel Léveillé were trained.
Derrière la porte un mur, created in 1978, marked the beginning of a prolific career as a choreographer, confirmed by works such as Parlez-moi donc du cul de mon enfance in 1979, Violence in 1980 and Fin in 1981. That same year, he won the Jean A. Chalmers National Dance Award and his company, Danse-Théâtre Paul-André Fortier, founded in 1979, was renamed Fortier Danse-Création.
His next creations were Pow !…t’es mort (1982), Ça ne saigne jamais… (1983), Chaleurs (1985), Le Mythe décisif (1987) and Désert (1989). Gradually, Paul-André Fortier’s works slipped from the “narrative into the abstract” leaving “the way open to multiple interpretations, giving the viewer to his feelings.”
As a solo artist, Paul-André created Les Males Heures (1989), the first part of a trilogy that would go on to include La Tentation de la transparence (1991) and Bras de Plomb (1993), created with the participation of visual artist Betty Goodwin
. La Tentation de la transparence received the Dora Mavor Moore Award
.
Returning to group compositions, he created La Part des anges (1996), the epitome of interiority, a quartet exploring the mysterious chemistry that connects and disconnects feelings between people; and Jeux de Fous (1998),) a unique piece for three young graduates of the Université du Québec à Montréal
dance department.
The year 2000 witnessed the creation of Loin, très loin, a solo piece for Toronto dancer Peggy Baker. Next, Paul-André Fortier created Tensions for the 10th edition of the Festival international de nouvelle danse in 2001. The work takes an unusually fresh look at human loneliness and bears the stamp of the choreographer’s maturity. The choreographer performs in this duo, which represents a renewal by integrating dance, video and electronic music. Tensions marks a major turning point in Fortier’s choreographic approach, and has toured nationally and internationally.
Risque, created for six young dancers, was presented in 2003 at Agora de la danse. With this project, Paul-André Fortier pursues his goal of supporting a new generation of dancers, whom he feels are talented and able to create a strong connection with the public as well as an enlightening dialogue.
At the Canada Dance Festival
in 2004, Paul-André Fortier created Lumière, a group piece including Fortier as performer. In the tradition of Tensions, this work crosses choreography with images and music, and integrates a musical composition by Alain Thibault, video images by Patrick Masbourian, set design by visual artist Pierre Bruneau, and lighting by John Munro.
In 2006, Paul-André Fortier returns to the solo form with his site-specific creation Solo 30X30, presented outdoors, thirty minutes for thirty days. He also creates Solo 1X60 – Un jardin d’objets, which is, this time, meant for the stage at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM) in Japan
.
His last creation Cabane was created in 2008. It takes place in and around a shack which can be completely opened. The piece is performed by Paul-André Fortier himself and the visual artist, writer and musician Rober Racine. It can be presented as well on a traditional stage as in a site-specific venue.
From 2003 to 2007, Paul-André Fortier was appointed choreographer in residence at la Cinquième Salle de la Place des Arts
in Montreal. Moreover, he is also member of the Sponsorship Committee at the Grand Théâtre de Lorient (France), created during its inauguration in June 2003.
In 2009, Paul-André Fortier was appointed Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by la République Française.
Over the course of his career, he has created 48 works in more than 30 years, presented in 9 different countries.
Paul-André Fortier’s career as a dancer started in 1973 with Groupe Nouvelle Aire in Montreal, where well-known choreographers of the same generation such as Edouard Lock
Édouard Lock
Édouard Lock is a Canadian dance choreographer and the founder of the Canadian dance group, La La La Human Steps.In 1957 Édouard Lock's parents moved to Montreal, where he studied film and literature at Concordia University....
, Ginette Laurin, or Daniel Léveillé were trained.
Derrière la porte un mur, created in 1978, marked the beginning of a prolific career as a choreographer, confirmed by works such as Parlez-moi donc du cul de mon enfance in 1979, Violence in 1980 and Fin in 1981. That same year, he won the Jean A. Chalmers National Dance Award and his company, Danse-Théâtre Paul-André Fortier, founded in 1979, was renamed Fortier Danse-Création.
His next creations were Pow !…t’es mort (1982), Ça ne saigne jamais… (1983), Chaleurs (1985), Le Mythe décisif (1987) and Désert (1989). Gradually, Paul-André Fortier’s works slipped from the “narrative into the abstract” leaving “the way open to multiple interpretations, giving the viewer to his feelings.”
As a solo artist, Paul-André created Les Males Heures (1989), the first part of a trilogy that would go on to include La Tentation de la transparence (1991) and Bras de Plomb (1993), created with the participation of visual artist Betty Goodwin
Betty Goodwin
Betty Roodish Goodwin, OC was a Canadian printmaker, sculptor, painter, and installation artist.- Early life :...
. La Tentation de la transparence received the Dora Mavor Moore Award
Dora Mavor Moore Award
The Dora Mavor Moore Award is an award presented annually by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts which honours theatre, dance, and opera productions in Toronto. Named after Dora Mavor Moore, who helped establish Canadian professional theatre, the award was established on December 13, 1978...
.
Returning to group compositions, he created La Part des anges (1996), the epitome of interiority, a quartet exploring the mysterious chemistry that connects and disconnects feelings between people; and Jeux de Fous (1998),) a unique piece for three young graduates of the Université du Québec à Montréal
Université du Québec à Montréal
The Université du Québec à Montréal is one of four universities in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Basic facts:The UQAM is the largest constituent element of the Université du Québec , a public university system with other branches in Gatineau , Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec City, Chicoutimi, and...
dance department.
The year 2000 witnessed the creation of Loin, très loin, a solo piece for Toronto dancer Peggy Baker. Next, Paul-André Fortier created Tensions for the 10th edition of the Festival international de nouvelle danse in 2001. The work takes an unusually fresh look at human loneliness and bears the stamp of the choreographer’s maturity. The choreographer performs in this duo, which represents a renewal by integrating dance, video and electronic music. Tensions marks a major turning point in Fortier’s choreographic approach, and has toured nationally and internationally.
Risque, created for six young dancers, was presented in 2003 at Agora de la danse. With this project, Paul-André Fortier pursues his goal of supporting a new generation of dancers, whom he feels are talented and able to create a strong connection with the public as well as an enlightening dialogue.
At the Canada Dance Festival
Canada Dance Festival
The Canadian Dance Festival is an annual Ottawa, Ontario event founded in 1987. Held in June, it sets the stage for Canada's most contemporary, innovative and leading edge dance choreographers and dance companies...
in 2004, Paul-André Fortier created Lumière, a group piece including Fortier as performer. In the tradition of Tensions, this work crosses choreography with images and music, and integrates a musical composition by Alain Thibault, video images by Patrick Masbourian, set design by visual artist Pierre Bruneau, and lighting by John Munro.
In 2006, Paul-André Fortier returns to the solo form with his site-specific creation Solo 30X30, presented outdoors, thirty minutes for thirty days. He also creates Solo 1X60 – Un jardin d’objets, which is, this time, meant for the stage at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM) in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
His last creation Cabane was created in 2008. It takes place in and around a shack which can be completely opened. The piece is performed by Paul-André Fortier himself and the visual artist, writer and musician Rober Racine. It can be presented as well on a traditional stage as in a site-specific venue.
From 2003 to 2007, Paul-André Fortier was appointed choreographer in residence at la Cinquième Salle de la Place des Arts
Place des Arts
right|frame|View of the Place des Arts esplanade. The Musée d'art contemporain is on the left; behind it is the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, with the Théâtre Maisonneuve on the rightPlace des Arts is a major performing arts centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada....
in Montreal. Moreover, he is also member of the Sponsorship Committee at the Grand Théâtre de Lorient (France), created during its inauguration in June 2003.
In 2009, Paul-André Fortier was appointed Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by la République Française.
Over the course of his career, he has created 48 works in more than 30 years, presented in 9 different countries.
Honours
- 1993 : Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Choreography
- 1981 : Prix Jean A. Chalmer
- 2009 : appointed Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by la République Française
Works
- 2008 : Cabane, Spirale
- 2007 : -20°
- 2006 : Solo 1x60 - Un jardin d'objets, Solo 30x30
- 2004 : Lumière
- 2003 : Risque, Sparks
- 2002 : Excès
- 2001 : Tensions, MVTS
- 2000 : Loin, très loin
- 1998 : Jeux de fous
- 1996 : La part des anges, Entre la mémoire et l'oubli, Tête d'ange
- 1995 : Novembre
- 1993 : Bras de plomb, Double silence
- 1991 : La tentation de la transparence, Lost, Plein le coeur
- 1989 : Les males heures, L'été latent, Désert
- 1987 : O-Pé-Ra Savon, Sans titre et qui le restera, Le mythe décisif, Tell
- 1986 : Brûler
- 1985 : Chaleur
- 1984 : Venus 84, Assis soient-ils
- 1983 : Gravitation, Ça ne saigne jamais…
- 1982 : Non coupable, Moi King Kong, Lavabos, Pow!... T'es mort
- 1981 : Fin, Bande dessinée
- 1980 : Violence
- 1979 : Parlez-moi donc du cul de mon enfance, Rêve 1
- 1978 : Images noires, Derrière la porte un mur