José Navas/Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org Compagnie Flak is a contemporary dance company based in Montreal Canada, under the direction of Venezuelan born choreographer José Navas. Creator of more than 30 pieces, his work can be recognized by his audacity and the usualness of the characters of his creations. Today, the words that best describe his work are: abstraction, sobriety, intensity and depth. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:16:13 +0000 en hourly 1 Emily Molnar introduces José Navas’ new creation for Ballet BC http://www.flak.org/2010/07/emily-molnar-introduces-jose-navas-new-creation-for-ballet-bc/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/07/emily-molnar-introduces-jose-navas-new-creation-for-ballet-bc/?lang=en#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:47:16 +0000 Christian Aubry http://www.flak.org/?p=1805&lang=en

Emily Molnar, artistic director of Ballet BC, has invited José Navas to Vancouver to create a new piece on pointe for 15 dancers. A few weeks before the beginning of the creation, she talks about her motivations and expectations.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/07/emily-molnar-introduces-jose-navas-new-creation-for-ballet-bc/feed/?lang=en José Navas at the Venice Biennale 2010 http://www.flak.org/2010/06/jose-navas-a-la-biennale-de-venise-2010/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/06/jose-navas-a-la-biennale-de-venise-2010/?lang=en#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:12:17 +0000 Christian Aubry http://www.flak.org/?p=1781&lang=fr

In an interview by The Biennale Channel, José Navas underlines the need to return to dance that is understood from the heart and speaks about how the emotions felt in his solo show Miniatures are inspired by the movement and not the other way around.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/06/jose-navas-a-la-biennale-de-venise-2010/feed/?lang=en José Navas - Arsenale della Danza 2010 http://www.flak.org/2010/04/jose-navas-arsenale-della-danza-2010/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/04/jose-navas-arsenale-della-danza-2010/?lang=en#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:19:18 +0000 Laurence Wegscheider http://www.flak.org/?p=1722&lang=en

Recorded in Venice for the Biennale Channel, José Navas talks about the two-week workshop that he gave to 20 young dancers for the Arsenale della Danza in March 2010.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/04/jose-navas-arsenale-della-danza-2010/feed/?lang=en José Navas as seen by Ginella Diaz http://www.flak.org/2010/04/jose-navas-as-seen-by-ginella-diaz/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/04/jose-navas-as-seen-by-ginella-diaz/?lang=en#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:16:13 +0000 Laurence Wegscheider http://www.flak.org/?p=1724&lang=en

Source: The World Through Movement by Ginella-Diaz

On the Radio-Canada International website, director Ginella Diaz paints a portrait of José Navas, an investigation into his roots where we learn more about the man and the artist.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/04/jose-navas-as-seen-by-ginella-diaz/feed/?lang=en 2009 Fundraising gala of José Navas/Compagnie Flak, photo memories http://www.flak.org/2010/01/2009-fundraising-gala-of-jose-navascompagnie-flak-photo-memories/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/01/2009-fundraising-gala-of-jose-navascompagnie-flak-photo-memories/?lang=en#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:29:15 +0000 Laurence Wegscheider http://www.flak.org/?p=1652&lang=en
There was a fantastic turnout for Compagnie Flak’s 2009 Fundraising gala! After the show, the artistic and administrative team joined its supporters and donors at a cocktail, chronicled by photographer Valerie Simmons.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/01/2009-fundraising-gala-of-jose-navascompagnie-flak-photo-memories/feed/?lang=en Two satisfied José Navas/Compagnie Flak donors http://www.flak.org/2010/01/deux-heureux-donateurs/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/01/deux-heureux-donateurs/?lang=en#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:45:36 +0000 Christian Aubry http://www.flak.org/?p=1632&lang=fr

To both enjoy a work and be proud of having contributed to its creation; a double pleasure expressed by two spectator/donors at the 2009 fundraising gala of José Navas/Compagnie Flak, in Montreal. When donating makes sense.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/01/deux-heureux-donateurs/feed/?lang=en José Navas’ Dance as seen through the lense of photographer Valerie Simmons http://www.flak.org/2010/01/jose-navas-dance-photographer-valerie-simmons/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2010/01/jose-navas-dance-photographer-valerie-simmons/?lang=en#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:54:28 +0000 Christian Aubry http://www.flak.org/?p=1615&lang=fr

Since photographing José Navas for the series Trois battements, Valerie Simmons has worked numerous times with Company Flak. Her passion: to capture the energy of movement, even in stillness.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2010/01/jose-navas-dance-photographer-valerie-simmons/feed/?lang=en José Navas speaks of the creative process of S http://www.flak.org/2009/11/the-creative-process-of-s/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/11/the-creative-process-of-s/?lang=en#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:27:26 +0000 Christian Aubry http://www.flak.org/?p=1583&lang=en

Part two of the interview about the creative process of S. José Navas explains how this work for eight dancers has permitted him to deepen his method of creation, which aims to identify the essence of the choreographic phrase.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/11/the-creative-process-of-s/feed/?lang=en José Navas speaks about S as in Silence, Space, Simplicity http://www.flak.org/2009/10/jose-navas-about-silence-space-simplicity/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/10/jose-navas-about-silence-space-simplicity/?lang=en#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:21:56 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1519&lang=en

In the first part of this fascinating interview, choreographer José Navas speaks about the creative process of S, a piece for eight dancers performed to the music of Erik Satie.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/10/jose-navas-about-silence-space-simplicity/feed/?lang=en José Navas’ choreography S touring in Italy, Norway and Belgium http://www.flak.org/2009/09/s-in-italy-norway-belgium/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/09/s-in-italy-norway-belgium/?lang=en#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:15:12 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1429&lang=en

Dancers Lindsey Parker, Hanako Hoshimi-Caines and Eldon Pulak take a few minutes before rehearsal to talk about S and the upcoming tour, which stops in Milan, Oslo, Brugge, Turnhout and Alast before returning for performances in Montreal and Sherbrooke.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/09/s-in-italy-norway-belgium/feed/?lang=en Miniatures: An homage to beautiful women and music http://www.flak.org/2009/09/miniatures-an-homage-to-beautiful-women-and-music/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/09/miniatures-an-homage-to-beautiful-women-and-music/?lang=en#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:45:23 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1391&lang=en

Created in 2008 at Agora de la danse in Montreal, Miniatures is a series of seven solos danced to music chosen by the choreographer. For the first time in his career, José Navas evokes the highlights of his life in an emotional and moving impressionist mosaic.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/09/miniatures-an-homage-to-beautiful-women-and-music/feed/?lang=en Springboard Danse Montréal http://www.flak.org/2009/07/springboard-in-montreal/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/07/springboard-in-montreal/?lang=en#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:05:19 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1298&lang=fr

From June 14 to July 3rd 2009, 60 young dancers from Montreal, Toronto and New York had the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and work closely with internationally renowned choreographers thanks to Springboard Danse Montréal. Involved again this year in this project, José Navas conducted research with 11 exceptional dancers  that will enrich his next creation.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/07/springboard-in-montreal/feed/?lang=en José Navas at the Dublin Dance Festival http://www.flak.org/2009/05/jose-navas-dublin-festival/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/05/jose-navas-dublin-festival/?lang=en#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 20:00:35 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1234&lang=fr

The choreographer José Navas talks about his upcoming shows at the Dublin Dance Festival. He will dance Miniatures, his most recent solo piece, on May 20 and 21.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/05/jose-navas-dublin-festival/feed/?lang=en A videoblog for José Navas/Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/2009/05/a-videoblog-for-jose-navas-compagnie-flak/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/05/a-videoblog-for-jose-navas-compagnie-flak/?lang=en#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 19:38:59 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1196&lang=fr flakorgMontreal, 19 May 2009 – José Navas is embarking on the adventure of Web 2.0 by transforming his flash Web site to a videoblog. In addition to the traditional text content, the Web viewer can now view excerpts from selected shows and short interviews, in which the choreographer speaks about a variety of themes connected to dance. It’s an original and enticing initiative to open wide the doors of the company to those who are interested.

Thanks to Youtube and Facebook, José Navas/Compagnie Flak had already established an active Web presence. Today, the videoblog strengthens that presence at www.flak.org. A space for dynamic and interactive encounters, this new tool aims to open a window on the daily life of the company and its creations, as well as to increase the understanding of dance and to stimulate reflection on the challenges confronting dance today. Aesthetically pleasing and convivial, the new site will appeal to the general public as much as to producers, the media, and other organizations.

“The idea is to provide an online conversation in order to create a long-term relationship with the public,” comments Christian Aubry the developer and maintainer of the blog. “Still largely underused in the dance world, the videoblog is a fantastic tool that promotes both distribution and intimacy.”

The site already features four excerpts from the solo show Miniatures, an excerpt from the group piece S, which be will presented in Montreal by the series Danse Danse in November, and three interviews with José Navas. He speaks of the concept of meditation in movement, recounts the experience of remounting Anatomies with a new cast, and calls for stronger political and financial support for the arts.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/05/a-videoblog-for-jose-navas-compagnie-flak/feed/?lang=en Compagnie Flak in Quebec City, Seoul and Dublin http://www.flak.org/2009/04/quebec-city-seoul-dublin/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/04/quebec-city-seoul-dublin/?lang=en#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:02:17 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1140 After receiving enthusiastic acclaim in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Germany, Anatomies continues to tour, making its next stops at La Rotonde in Québec City and at the Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE) in Seoul, Korea.

Presented over twenty times since its creation in Montreal in 2006, this piece for five dancers is reinvented by a completely new cast.  This time, José Navas is surrounded by the talented dancers Hanako Hoshimi-Caines, Lindsey Parker, Eldon Pulak and Lauren Semeschuk.

Between these two Anatomies tours, José Navas will fly solo for the Dublin Dance Festival where he will present Miniatures; an auto portrait in seven solos created in 2008 after seven years consecrated to the creation of group pieces.

Theatres

Anatomies and Miniatures are José Navas/Compagnie Flak productions in coproduction with l’Agora de la danse

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/04/quebec-city-seoul-dublin/feed/?lang=en Arts… Useless? http://www.flak.org/2009/04/arts-useless/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/04/arts-useless/?lang=en#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:52:05 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=969

In this video I try to explain how dangerous it is to under-estimate the necessity of public investment in culture — not only for artists but for the whole society.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/04/arts-useless/feed/?lang=en Meditation in movement http://www.flak.org/2009/04/meditation-in-movement/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/04/meditation-in-movement/?lang=en#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:41:49 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=283&lang=en Portable Dances, Anatomies et S.]]>

Choreographer José Navas explains the idea of “meditation in movement” that he explores in his three latest contemporary dance pieces: Portable Dances, Anatomies and S.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/04/meditation-in-movement/feed/?lang=en New foray into Germany for the quintet ‘Anatomies’ http://www.flak.org/2009/03/anatomies-in-germany/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/03/anatomies-in-germany/?lang=en#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:35:13 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=487&lang=fr
Photo: Valerie Simmons

Photo: Valerie Simmons


After a successful run in Frankfurt last September, Compagnie Flak continues its foray into Germany with Anatomies.

Anatomies will be presented at two festivals this month: the 9th edition of the Internationale Tanztage 2009 in Oldenburg and the Schrit_tmacher 2009 in Aachen, where it will be performed in the Ludwig Forum Museum, an amazing international art space. The piece has also been programmed as a part of the regular season at the Theater im Pumpenhaus in Münster.

Created in Montreal in 2006, this work for five dancers has already been presented twenty times in Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. It will be presented for the first time to the Korean public in May. Stay tuned…

Performances

  • March 23, Staatstheater, Internationale Tanztage 2009, Oldenburg
  • March 25, Theater im Pumpenhaus, Münster
  • March 27 & 28, Ludwig Forum, Schrit_tmacher Festival, Aachen

A José Navas/Compagnie Flak production in coproduction with l’Agora de la danse.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/03/anatomies-in-germany/feed/?lang=en New foray into Germany for the quintet ‘Anatomies’ http://www.flak.org/2009/03/new-foray-into-germany-for-anatomies/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/03/new-foray-into-germany-for-anatomies/?lang=en#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:11:48 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=1

Before flying to Germany where Compagnie Flak will present four shows of the piece Anatomies next week, choreographer Jose Navas speaks about the challenges of presenting a new version of a dance show with a new cast.

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/03/new-foray-into-germany-for-anatomies/feed/?lang=en ‘S’, the new group piece by José Navas http://www.flak.org/2009/03/dance-video-except-from-s/?lang=en http://www.flak.org/2009/03/dance-video-except-from-s/?lang=en#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:12:50 +0000 Compagnie Flak http://www.flak.org/?p=310&lang=fr

Individual logic in movement, soul and space and add the beauty of Satie. The first time we performed this piece, it was magic to listen to Claire Chevalier’s piano interpretation of Satie… she is sublime!

Choreographer and company: José Navas/Compagnie Flak
Music: Erik Satie
Piano: Claire Chevalier

]]> http://www.flak.org/2009/03/dance-video-except-from-s/feed/?lang=en