The Arab World Premiere of Sol Invictus Arrives In Abu Dhabi
The NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center welcomes choreographer Cie Hervé Koubi for a sensational performance supported by Van Cleef & Arpels
The Red Theatre in the NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center welcomes choreographer Cie Hervé Koubi this week for a sensational performance of Sol Invictus, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels’ Dance Reflections program, on September 5 and 6. Cie has previously presented What the Day Owes to The Night at the Arts Center, and he returns with a contemporary masterpiece that marries contemporary and high octane urban dance.
Exploring the power of dance in a turbulent world, the company comprises 17 male and female dancers, who perform individually and in tandem to achieve extraordinary physical feats—mixing ballet, hip hop and classical dance with aerial pursuits. An ode to his own passion for dance in the past, present and future, Sol Invictus—meaning ‘the unconquered son’—refers to the Roman mid-winter festival that celebrates the passing of the longest day of the year, and the incoming brighter, hopeful days.
A deeper interpretation, is Cie’s desire to focus on the positives during a time of such global unrest. “I want to talk about light, solidarity, and those bonds that unite us,” says Cie. “Here, the sun and the dance will emerge victorious.” The powerful force of communion is central to the piece, with each dancer enabling the group as a whole to triumph in remarkable, gravity-defying coups.
Hailing from Algeria, Cie grew up in France and graduated from the Rosella Hightower School of Dance in Cannes, working as a dancer in his own right before creating his first oeuvre—Le Golem. A series of prestigious partnerships followed suit, working with both Guillaume Gabriel and Fayçal Hamlat, while Cie’s recent works have focused on male street dance, leading to multiple sold-out shows. Cie was awarded the French medal of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in July 2015, affirming his influence in the rich legacy of French cultural arts.
Part of Van Cleef & Arpel’s Dance Reflections program—the maison’s pledge to furthering the artistry and achievements in the contemporary dance world—Sol Invictus captures the renowned lyricism of the house, which spins diamonds, coloured gems and precious metals into fluid, light-filled creations with the deft ease of a masterful dancer. Throughout its storied history, the maison has produced balletic one-of-a-kind creations, including most famously, its iconic ballerina brooches. Working with world-class venues, international dance artists and festivals across the globe, the program tirelessly strives to enrich the worldwide contemporary dance scene, enabling the extraordinary with its signature polish and panache.
For more information and tickets, please visit the NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center website here.
Imagery supplied by Van Cleef & Arpels, lead image photography by Mélanie Lhôte
