Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis is currently working with Sydney Dance Company (SDC) on a new work, Parenthesis, for company’s forthcoming “Louder Than Words” season at Sydney Theatre. A freelance choreographer, Foniadakis has created works for numerous companies including Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Geneva Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet and Benjamin Millipied Dance Company and Bejart Ballet Lausanne, to name just a handful.
Nina Levy caught up with Foniadakis to find out more about this prolific choreographer and the work he is creating for SDC.
Foniadakis has choreographed for a startling array of companies, but he insists that each one has been special to him and will not name any as favourites. “If I must choose some as more memorable,” he says, “then I would choose as follows. Firstly, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and the creation Horizons for the energy and efficiency of the dancers during the work and of course for the excitement of working in New York. Secondly, Geneva Ballet for all my creations (three to date) Glory, Rite Of Spring and Selon Desir, for the devotion and the trust in my work and because the dancers knows so much about my style that it feels like being home each time I create for them. Thirrdly, Martha Graham Dance Company and the creation Echo, for the courage passion and hard work of the dancers and the honour I felt creating in such a historic company for American Dance. And lastly, Ballet Jazz de Montreal and the creation Kosmos for the fun creativity and hard work of such an inspiring dance group.”
In addition to his work with companies, Foniadakis was movement co-ordinator for the movie Noah, which was released earlier this year. “The experience working with [director] Darren Aronofsky was thrilling,” he recalls. The process, he continues, was very different to that of working with a company. “Approaching the movement for the characters of the ‘Watchers’ in the film was a very long and hard process focusing on minimal details around walking, running, seating, fighting, falling, and all kind of ordinary movements that these non-human creatures were required to perform in the film. The process was different than creating for a dance company as I was working mainly on me, creating moves in a specific frame required for the motion capturing technology.”
Right now, Foniadakis is back in the world of dance companies, making Parenthesis for Sydney Dance Compnay. “Parenthesis focuses on the relation of duality and all the external interactions that might disturb or interrupt it,” he explains. “In an abstract way I am creating an environment of sensuality, comfort and ease - as in an intimate relationship, whilst also exploring the feelings of disorder, discomfort and chaos that result when the balance is disrupted. The work features music by French composer Julien Tarride and costumes by Greek designer Tassos Sofroniou.”
It’s an enjoyable process, both working with SDC and being in Australia, he reports. “It’s a pleasure working with Sydney Dance Company. SDC has interesting performers and individuals that all have in common the sense of focused and constructive work. It is really a challenging and exciting experience being here in Sydney.”
Parenthesis will play alongside a new work from SDC artistic director Rafael Bonachela, as part of a program entitled “Louder Than Words”. The season runs 4-18 October, at Sydney Theatre.
Andonis Foniadakis
