Ariry Andriamoatsiresy Speaks on Dance in Madagascar

ARIRY ANDRIAMORATSIRESY is based in Antanarivo, Madagascar. He studied dance with Raúl Olivera and a troupe of Cubans dancers, which the Madagascan government brought in to instruct teenagers. He later studied dance at L’École Normale Superieur in Madagascar. There he became adept in a variety of movements, including martial arts. After university, he ran studio classes and then later formed his own company, Compagnie Rary, which has toured internationally.  He currently directs Labdihy, which is dance lab where choreographers and dancers are immersed in workshops and masterclasses with local and international artists.

Gaby Saranouffi Speaks on her solo “MOI” at KINANI Contemporary Dance Festival, Mozambique

I interviewed Gaby Saranouffi at the KINANI Contemporary Dance Festival in Maputo, Mozambique in November 2011.  Gaby’s new solo “MOI” speaks on women, sexuality, strength, abuse, aggression, and beauty.  Her embodied narrative moves in and around a small set of lights- reframing and framing her  female body, within the Malagasy cultural context.  In this interview she articulates the process of creating this solo and the societal narratives that she draws upon from both a personal and a political place.

Saranouffi is also the founder of I’ Trotra Contemporary Dance Festival in Madagascar.  This festival brings together dancers from all over Madagascar and internationally for workshops dance as well as performances.  See http://itrotra.alter-forum.net/