EVENT DESCRIPTION
WestK is proud to present the Hong Kong premiere of Corps extrêmes, a gravity-defying work created by internationally acclaimed choreographer Rachid Ouramdane, at the Xiqu Centre’s Grand Theatre from 30 May to 1 June 2025. Ouramdane, Director at the Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse in Paris, France, is bringing together an ensemble of 10 air artists and celestial athletes, including acclaimed Italian highliner Luca Chiarva and American climber Ann Raber Cocheril, to showcase a remarkable display of strength, dexterity and artistic excellence.
The international tour of Corps extrêmes is supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels, as part of the French May Arts Festival 2025.
Corps extrêmes reawakens humanity’s intrinsic bond with nature through a breathtaking fusion of extreme sports, acrobatics and dance
Corps extrêmes presents a daring exploration of the human desire for weightlessness through a seamless fusion of dance, acrobatics and extreme sports. The show unites an extraordinary cast, including Italian circus artist Luca Chiarva, who has collaborated with Cirque du Soleil, the world’s foremost contemporary circus company, as the highliner, Ann Raber – one of the oldest women to conquer a difficulty of v13 in the Hueco grade at the age of 37 – as the climber, along with eight other professional acrobats. The work weaves a gravity-defying meditation on physical virtuosity with the tranquility and mental clarity derived from flirting with the void.
Growing up in the French Alps, the internationally renowned Rachid Ouramdane was immersed in nature and frequently witnessed people engaging in extreme sports. Inspired by this often-misunderstood world, the choreographer delves into the deeper motivations of these athletes, who seek not just the thrill of the adrenaline rush but also a profound reconnection with the natural world. Corps extrêmes transcends a mere display of physical prowess, illuminating the profound awareness that arises from pushing beyond the ordinary and rediscovering our innate connection to the environment.
Ouramdane is known for using dance to spotlight diverse communities and create projects rooted in inclusivity and hospitality. Since 2021, he has been the Director of the Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse in Paris – one of France’s six national theatres and the only one dedicated to dance. His latest work, Möbius Morphosis, created with the acrobats of Compagnie XY for the Cultural Olympiad, a programme of multidisciplinary arts events in conjunction with the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, reflects his ongoing exploration of the intersection between art and sport. He regularly collaborates with many world-class dance companies including the ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon; the Russian company Migrazia; the Candoco Dance Company from the United Kingdom; the Ballet de Lorraine; and the Ballet of the Grand Théâtre de Genève. In 2023, Ouramdane took the outdoor stage of WestK in Hong Kong with Les Traceurs, co-presented by WestK, Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels and French May Arts Festival, working alongside 10 acrobats and celestial athlete who performed breathtaking tightrope walking and aerial feats over the Art Park at WestK.
