Centro Danza Matadero, space of the Area of Culture, Tourism and Sports, will premiere its international programming next Wednesday, February 26, with a reference in the world of contemporary aerial dance: the choreographer and director Rachid Ouramdane, who, accompanied by a group of dancers from the Théâtre national de la Danse de Paris, will present his latest creation, Contre-nature, in Nave 11 until March 1.
This is a project in which dance becomes a vehicle to reflect on universal themes such as childhood, the passage of time, and absence. The show unfolds on a minimalist stage, with light effects and enveloped in a mist that reveals projected images, creating a dreamlike space that invites reflection on the central theme of the work, those ‘ghosts’ and their continuous presence. «The work requires artists with hybrid backgrounds, who can perform with equal skill in the air and on the ground, capable of sharing their experiences and conveying their own languages,» explains Ouramdane.
The company, a platform for artistic exploration
Chaillot–Théâtre national de la Danse, based in the Chaillot palace in Paris, is a cultural reference in France and the world, standing out for bringing together multidisciplinary artists with an inclusive vision and a shared commitment to representing universal themes and diverse social realities.
This collective is composed of dancers, acrobats, tightrope walkers, composers, videographers, lighting designers, photographers, set designers, and costume designers. Together, they create shows that combine dance, acrobatics, theater, performance, and music.
Since Rachid Ouramdane took over as director in April 2021, the company has enhanced the fusion of different techniques embracing contemporary dance, establishing itself as a prestigious platform for artistic exploration, especially in aerial dance.
The director, identity, and social commitment in motion
Rachid Ouramdane was born in 1971 in Nimes and grew up in a family environment marked by the aftermath of the Algerian War. This experience of violence and exile influenced several of his choreographic creations, where his bicultural identity made him aware of the complexity of personal identities, making them the central axis of his works.
In the early ’90s, he abandoned his studies in science, even though his interest in life and its forms could have led him towards biology. However, he chose dance, a living art that he discovered at the age of 12 through hip-hop, and the path he chose to express his strong social commitment, stemming from his personal and professional experiences.
Programming at Centro Danza Matadero
Contre-nature will close the first month of programming at Centro Danza Matadero, following the resounding success of the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía and IT Dansa.
Until June 2025, this new theater dedicated exclusively to dance in all its forms, directed by the dancer and choreographer María Pagés and playwright El Arbi El Harti, has scheduled 66 shows, 140 performances, six world premieres, and eight co-productions, with the participation of 48 national and eight international companies.
More information and tickets at www.centrodanzamatadero.com
