Discovering talents: Sohrâb Chitan and the magic of his dance

Could you tell me when did you begin your life as a dancer? What attracted you at first and when did you realize this was your job?
The first time I’ve seen a ballet I was 6 years old. It was “Romeo and Juliet” by Rudolf Nureyev for the Opera National de Paris. It was like a revelation. At 7 I started classical dance, and at 16 years old I realized how much I loved it, that this passion could be my life. 16 years old was the year I went to Lausanne for the Maurice Béjart School.

Is dancing something that follows you everyday? I mean, I think you have always to exercise and that you have a very strictly routine/diet, am I wrong? And when you don’t dance, being also a choreographer are you always looking for things to inspire you?
Of course, we have to be careful of ourselves. Dance is like a meditation of our bodies. We must do a ballet class everyday, like greatest pianist Arthur Rubinstein said : “One day I don’t play piano no one can hear, the second day my wife can hear, the third everyone can hear”. I like this sentence, because it’s the same for the ballet, every artistic discipline needs a real strong mind. I like to be inspired by the people around us and some artists (Pina Baush, Jean Cocteau, Jean Genet, Mats Ek, Gianni Versace, Jean Paul Goude, Diane Arbus…). But my real inspiration has come from my mother, she’s a great woman, so peaceful and so brave. A few women are like her.

What’s the difference in being a dancer and a choreographer?
When I create a choreography it’s between the dancers and me. We work together to complete something. I always say to them when they are a little bit confused about a detail of a step or something else: “Find it by yourself, this is your character, this is your scene, I will not be on the stage with you. I’ll be a spectator”. They like it, because they are free to think and to propose. As a dancer I like challenges, not specially technical challenges, but artistic challenges. I think when you’re a dancer you have to listen and start again and again the steps to find the perfect movements. The creator has to give not only the movements but his passion for the art and the dancers have to translate what the choreographer needs. It’s like a painter with his virgin canvas. Choose the right colors, to make a beautiful painting.

Best and worst moment in your career so far?
The best moment: a ballet creation with Maurice Bejart the last year before he died, what a teaching. The worst : A lost love.

Could you tell me something about Timeless Ballet?
Timeless Ballet was founded by myself in July 2011 in Paris. We’re working now on “BUTTERFLY” ballet, the first creation and ambitious ballet of the company adapted from the Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly”. We have our first presentation in may 2013 in Paris.

You are also an editor for a magazine. How have you been involved with MKR magazine?
Just simply, I proposed to the editor in chief (Erik Raynal) to have a Dance section in the magazine. He said yes and we are free with my collaborator, Milena Pichon, to talk about dance and what we need to talk. Generally on this kind of magazine (fashion/culture) dance is not often present enough or not present at all. As if dance was not part of our Culture. We prove with  this web magazine that people are unfamiliar with dance. This is an opportunity for people to open their minds about this path, to learn more and clearer and concise basis through our articles. You can find the mag here: www.mkrmagazine.com.

I came to know you by chance thank to some pics of you I’ve seen on the web. How is the experience of being a model (Ok, you were dancing in those pics, but it was a sort of work of art also…)?
It’s not so much difference as being a choreographer. The photographer is like a choreographer, he has a picture in his head and we have to find the best way to capture it. My favourite work is Julien Benhamou’s work. We always work together, his pictures are amazing and have a beautiful universe, a real one! He can see through people. He knows how to capture dance, and make it very powerful and beautiful. I hope to have more collaborations with him. We have some projects together for some exhibitions in France. You can see his works on his website: www.julienbenhamou.com.

Which are your expectations from the world of dancing? Which are your dreams?
I would like to bring a new vision about dance and give it to the people, this is what I’m expecting. I dream about a great dance company.

More informations on the website : www.timelessballet.com

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