Active in the dance world since the 1970s, Benoît Lachambre discovered improvisation and releasing techniques in 1985, whose kinesthetic exploration of movement deeply shaped his choreographic composition. There is something markedly radical in his approach. His research delves into a hyper-awakening of the senses, envisioning a body where the notions of inner and outer spaces are constantly transformed. He emphasizes gesture within a context and dynamic spatiality that reveal fundamental notions of movement. In his creations, Lachambre also seeks to energize the performer in ways that alter their empathic experience with the audience. Among his strongest influences, he cites Meg Stuart, with whom he has collaborated regularly, as well as Amélia Itcush for her work on weight distribution in the body. Beyond his choreographic and performance work, Lachambre has gained wide recognition as a teacher, leading workshops and classes around the world for over 20 years.
In 1996, he founded his own company, Par B.L.eux, in Montréal. Through it, he multiplied encounters and dynamic exchanges, collaborating with numerous internationally renowned choreographers and artists from different disciplines, including Boris Charmatz, Sasha Waltz, Marie Chouinard, and Louise Lecavalier. Since its founding, Lachambre has created 15 works (Délire Défait in 1999, 100 Rencontres in 2005, Is you Me in 2006, Snakeskins in 2012), participated in more than 20 external productions, and received 25 commissions, among them I is memory (2006, a solo for Louise Lecavalier) and JJ’s Voice (2010) followed by High Heels Too (2013), both created for Cullberg Ballet in Stockholm. In September of the same year, his creation Prismes, commissioned by Montréal Danse, was presented. His two most recent works for Par B.L.eux, Snakeskins and Chutes Incandescentes, both premiered in May 2012.
Benoît Lachambre is the recipient of numerous awards. He received a Bessie Award in 2006 in New York for his performance in Forgeries, Love and Other Matters, a co-creation with Meg Stuart and Hahn Rowe.
JURY NOTES
In 2013, Benoît Lachambre received the GRAND PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL, honoring his entire career and, more specifically, his latest creation Snakeskins.
Emilie Renck
