Sidi Larbi interview with The Guardian

The Guardian did a nice interview with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui on Monday- short answers, informative, personal- it really does give a deeper sense of who he is. I like interviews like that because they add another layer to the artist and allow us to see the human side of the artist and perhaps even get to understand his work more.

What he says about the myth of contemporary dance being inaccessible is true though- and could probably be applied across the board to most performing art forms - don't have preconceived notions, or pre-judge your appreciation of it! Article linked here.

Portrait of the artist: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, choreographer
'I do read my reviews – but only a month after a performance.'

What got you started?
Watching a friend imitate Kate Bush when I was 13. I loved the idea of expressing yourself through movement.

What was your big breakthrough?
Winning best Belgian solo at a dance contest in 1995. I found my own style, mixing hip-hop with classical ballet and African moves – and met major choreographers like Alain Platel. It was only later that I realised I had been very lucky.

Do you suffer for your art?
Sometimes. As a choreographer, your work is quickly owned by other people – dancers, critics, audiences. It's strange when people assume that you have sole responsibility for it.

What work of art would you most like to own?
There's nothing I'd like to own. Art should be there for everyone.

What's the biggest myth about contemporary dance?
That it's inaccessible. You don't judge a book from the first page; so you should learn to see a dance piece from beginning to end before you judge it.

What's the greatest threat to dance?
It might not always be something people get paid for, but I don't think there's any danger of dance going away. It's part of the nature of people to need to move.

What song would feature on the soundtrack to your life?
Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush. It's about trying to make a deal with God.

What's your favourite film?
Wall-E, because I like the way he tries to do good. Requiem for a Dream, for making addiction something I can understand. And Shortbus, because it makes you realise we're indoctrinated with ideas about sexuality being bad.

What advice would you give a young choreographer?
Don't be afraid to do work that's like stuff other people used to do. So many people try to find something new, but by continuing a tradition, you will make something new.

Is there anything about your career you regret?
Regret is a word I don't like. My first work of choreography, Rien de Rien, was about not believing in regret – only in making choices.

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated . . .
Musician. I hear music in my head and would love to translate what I hear.

Do you read your reviews?
I do, a month or so after a performance. Everything that's said about me influences me. So if I get a bad review at the time, that's when I want to quit.