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British Council and Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage: Akram Khan to Visit UAE

- Reda Darwish

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 14:15

British_Council_and_Abu_Dhabi_Authority_for_Culture__Heritage

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), and the British Council, are proud to announce their collaboration in hosting the critically acclaimed choreographer and dancer, Akram Khan, for an artist talk in Abu Dhabi on 23 February.

The event will offer fans of the music and dance the opportunity to view a presentation about Khan’s latest solo work ‘Gnosis’, hear about Khan’s inspirations and motivations, as well as provide an opportunity to ask questions to the world-renowned performer.

“British Council is excited to be collaborating with ADACH to host the engagement with Akram Khan as part of our commitment to enhancing cultural understanding through knowledge exchange and creative ideas,” said Paul Sellers, Director of British Council in UAE.

Khan will be in Abu Dhabi to perform his latest solo work ‘Gnosis’ on 25-26 February 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”.

“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,” said Abdulla Salim Al Amri, Director of Arts and Culture at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

‘Gnosis’ 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. Akram will be joined on stage by two young Emirate-based musicians playing the Oud and Qanoon.

For ADACH, this performance represents the second part of a trilogy which they have embarked on with this uniquely gifted choreographer and artist. In 2009, they welcomed Akram and Juliette Binoche in ‘In-I’, an esoteric and sensitive dance-theatre dialogue between a man and a woman.

In 2011, ADACH will be commissioning Akram to create an entirely new work, inspired by the Middle East and the storytelling legacy and spiritual heritage of the 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.

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, and works with professional partners to bring innovative work to the

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