Wang Ramirez
Honji Wang and Sébastien Ramirez are, together, the dance artist duo Wang Ramirez. Their dance language is an outgrowth of hip hop[1] meld with influences from contemporary dance, ballet[2] and martial art movements.
Career
Honji Wang
Honji Wang is a dancer, choreographer and artistic director born in Frankfurt, Germany on 7 February 1982 and raised by Korean parents. Her dance language is an abstraction of hip hop dance and has influences of earlier martial arts and ballet training. She was invited as a guest artist to perform a duo with British choreographer Akram Khan titled The Pursuit of Now[3] which was accompanied by pianist Shahin Novrasli. She also collaborated with the flamenco dancer Rocío Molina in the duet "Felahikum". Wang was invited to Madonna’s final auditions in New York, where her outstanding performance earned her an invitation to tour and perform for the Rebel Heart Tour. She was part of the movement research team for Wachowski Brothers’ Jupiter Ascending and had her first film experience as the Mongolian witch in the movie Hansel & Gretel, directed by Tommy Wirkola.
Sébastien Ramirez
Born in the south of France on September 13, 1982, Sébastien Ramirez is an internationally renowned dancer, choreographer and artistic director. Starting as a b-boy, he soon won major hip hop championships and acted as a judge for international competitions. Winner of the Redbull BC ONE French championship, he founded his company and developed a new vision of space and choreography, bringing hip hop dance to a wider and new audience.[4] Akram Khan invited him to direct a personal workshop at Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, a recognition of his unique quality of movement.[5] He was also invited by Sadler’s Wells as one of the five choreographers of RIOT OffSpring,[6] a unique dance piece performed to Igor Stravinsky’s iconic The Rite of Spring played by Southbank Sinfonia. Most recently, Ramirez was invited by Madonna to choreograph for her Rebel Heart Tour.
Choreographies
- 2016 : EVERYNESS – A creation for 5 dancers, original music from Schallbauer and a set design by Constance Guisset.[7]
- 2015 : Felahikum – A duo choreographed by Rocío Molina, Honji Wang & Sébastien Ramirez, where flamenco meets hip hop.[8]
- 2013 : Borderline – A societal, political creation[9] for 6 performers fusing hip hop, contemporary and a subtle use of rigging.[10]
- 2011 : True Blue Market – An abstract work with a choreography skilfully played to the individual strengths of 5 Finnish dancers.[11]
- 2011 : Monchichi – The bedrock piece of duo Wang Ramirez, a mash-up of hip-hop and tanztheater.[12]
- 2010 : AP15 – Wang Ramirez' debut piece, marrying immaculate technique with an acute understanding of spatial tension.[13]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The New York Bessie Award | Outstanding Performance[14] | AP15 |
| 2012 | Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative Program | Nomination | Wang & Ramirez |
| Hannover 26th choreographic competition | 1st and special audience award | AP15 | |
| Ludwigshafen No Ballet contemporary dance competition | Audience's Best Choreography award | AP15 | |
| 2009 | Japan Dance Delight International hiphop competition | Jury's special award | Wang & Ramirez |
| 2007 | Johannesburg Red Bull BC One Championship | Finals | Ramirez |
References
- ↑ Seibert, Brian (18 July 2015). "Entwined Like Branches in Their Own Eden". The New York Times. Arts (Daily): C4.
- ↑ Brennan, Mary. "Breakin' Convention Festival Theatre, Edinburgh". Herald Scotland. The Herald. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ↑ Sanjoy, Roy. "The Pursuit of Now review – Shahin Novrasli and Akram Khan's jazz-kathak combo". The Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ↑ Bleibtreu, Michal (23 March 2015). "Felahikum, une rencontre au-delà des genres.". Epoch Times: 8.
- ↑ Seibert, Brian. "Review: 'Monchichi,' a Love Story in Different Languages". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ↑ Leask, Josephine. "Review: National Youth Dance Company (In Between) & RIOT Offspring - Sadler's Wells". London Dance. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
- ↑ Marion, Julien (6 February 2016). "La nouvelle quête artistique du duo Wang Ramirez". L'Indépendant. Arts et Spectacle.
- ↑ Triviño, Dolores (January–February 2015). "La rencontre du hip hop et du flamenco". Le Travailleur Catalan. 3584 (Weekly).
- ↑ Boisseau, Rosita (31 October 2013). "La grâce juvénile de Sébastien Ramirez". Le Monde. Danse (Daily).
- ↑ Elderkin, Rachel. "Borderline". British Theatre Guide. British Theatre Guide. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
- ↑ "Brilliant energy and a new perspective on street dance". Uutispäivä Demari. 5 August 2011.
- ↑ Seibert, Brian (18 July 2015). "Entwined Like Branches in Their Own Eden". The New York Times. Arts (Daily): C4.
- ↑ Hutera, Donald (3 May 2011). "Breakin' Convention 2011 Sadler's Wells". The Times.
- ↑ The Bessies. "Winners of the New York Dance And Performance Awards-The Bessies". Dance Enthusiast. The Bessies. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
External links
Wang Ramirez website *http://www.wangramirez.com/