| Luisa Casiraghi |
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Luisa Casiraghi Biography
(Born in Milano)
Dancer-choreographer
Researcher in the science of oriental movement (martial arts- techniques in
respiration)
Teacher of contemporary dance and aikido applied to dance
Photographer- video artist
Researcher in humanistic sciences, philosophy and oriental religions
Columnist-lecturer
Archer
Luisa Casiraghi’s formation is in diverse fields:
photography, dance, movements techniques and martial arts, oriental sciences and
philosophies, comparative religions, creating an eclectic and diversified
creative journey whose common ground is the research in a spiritual more than
artistic path.
In 1973, after studying foreign languages and receiving a diploma in language
and simultaneous translation, she takes courses in graphic arts (with a
concentration in photography) and works as an artistic photographer, still life
and theatre, at the same time studying different techniques of contemporary
dance. A deep passion and affinity for oriental philosophy motivates her to
study, at a young age, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Attracted to the concept of ‘body’ in martial arts, in 1976 she begins her
interior journey in movement and begins to practice Aikido in Italy and
France, which she incorporates into her formation as dancer and “Pranayama
Yoga Vedanta” with her guru Swami Sivananda Hridayananda of the
“Divine Life Society” in Rishikesh, India, representing the true beginning
of her spiritual journey.
In 1980 she meets Carolyn Carlson who accepts Luisa in the italian
dance company “Teatro Danza La Fenice”, representing the first important step in
her artistic career, followed by , among the most significant: soloist with
Larrio Ekson in Venice and Paris and with Jorma Uotinen at “Teatro La Scala ,
Milan.
In 1986 she founds her own Company in Milan, touring with her creations in
Europe, in prestigious coreographic festivals, receiving numerous awards.
At the same time, as video artist, she bring “into movement” her experience as
photographer, creating videos exhibited in the most important video-coreography
festivals in Europe, receiving awards and international recognition.
She continues her work as photographer.
During her experience as dancer with Carolyn Carlson, she photographs a san
‘insider’ the most significant moments in the creative life of the company,
producing more than 200 photographs of this unique experience in Italy which she
has collected in 1998 in a “memory exhibit”,
“Inside Portraits”, exhibited in Italy and Europe.
“Movement: the Fluent path of the spirit”
®
All of these experiences, and especially the integration of the
martial art Aikido into her teaching technique, through the years modifies her
approach to the ‘body’ and her intimate relationship with dance. In 2004 she
decide to stop and push her work definitively beyond a vocabulary tied to a
personal artistic expression, “beyond” dance to give form to another expressive
reality of her body- true movement. With increasingly deeper knowledge, through
her research of the body and movement as fundamentally spiritual in nature,
movement, for her, becomes a
“Path of the spirit”.
Her work is therefore transformed into a discipline that , due to a conscious
construction of the body, gives a method to harmonize the mind with the spirit,
in contact with the archetypical state of the body or wisdom and harmonious
order, capable of creating beauty, power and lyricism , in one’s self and in
one’s movements. She researches the spiritual nature of every bodily
manifestation through which the human body is capable of expressing its natural
“state”,
the harmonious “Universe” from which it is generated.
Where her dance becomes:
“Dance the Earth and the Sky”.
In a physical matrix of stability and power from which is released the mystical
ritual of mastery, continuity, fluidity, flexibility, resulting in corporal
grace, which like a blade penetrates the surface to return to infinity,
rendering visible the power of the invisible dimension.
This research results in the formulation of a study on the
“Spiritual Anatomy of Movement”,
a work in progress on the symbology of the female body,
part published in the international magazine:
Les Nouvelles Esthétiques Italia.
Recently, her research in this field includes archery, giving her work the
dimension of bridge between a terrestrial and celestial consciousness,
in an effort to unite the mind with the body , in all of its gestures.
She is the author of numerous articles and lecturer regarding her experiences in
the fields of humanistic sciences, oriental philosophies and movement techniques
for International Congresses.
Allo stesso tempo scrive numerosi articoli e dà conferenze sulle sue
acquisizioni nei campi delle scienze umane, filosofie e tecniche
orientali di movimento, per Congressi Internazionali.
HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS
“Dance for a Peaceful Abode”
From 2001 Luisa Casiraghi pursues an intent:
to help the tibetan healer ,monk Lama Lawang, from the “Lama Gangchen”
tibetan center in Milano, with a project:
Fund Raising Appeal for Segyu Monaster,
aimed at the reconstruction of the Segyu Monastery, the Lama’s original
monastery and one of the three Colleges in the Tibetan Tantric tradition,
destroyed in 1966.
This reconstruction will allow the tibetan children and monks to live and study
in the original site so that the Buddhist “Vajrayana” Tradition is not
completely lost.
To sustain this project Luisa Casiraghi writes articles, offers conferences and
appeals for support in important International Congresses and creates, in 2004,
a dance solo called:
“Dedicato”, whose proceeds go to the “Lama Lawang Foundation”, in Tibet
and India.
Apsara
In 2006, Luisa Casiraghi continues her support for humanitarian efforts, aiding
the CIAI in their work for cambodian children at the “Siem Reap School of Art”,
with articles and a photographic exhibit of the performance “Apsara”.
Help the CIAI to rebuild Siem Reap’s “Abode of Grace”!
Goals of the CIAI:
In choosing to organize the italian tour of the performance “Apsara”, the ong
CIAI has three goals:
1. raise funds to reconstruct the “Pagoda Theater”,where children from the art
school used to perform, recently destroyed due to speculation on the property;
2. introduce this fascinating ancient art form representing the glorious history
of a people that recent history has tried to erase;
3. inform the italian public on the social problems that Cambodia is undergoing
and on the grave situation of its infants.
In the light of this situation, Luisa Casiraghi, as she did for the project of
reconstruction of the Seghyu Monastero, in Tibet , in 2003, of the tibetan
therapist Lama Lawang, is pleased to support the CIAI’s project, opening the
pages of Italy’s “Les Nouvelles Esthétiques” in order to spread this important
artistic and humanitarian project.
To work towards an “education of the spirit”, through art, philosophy and
everything that is capable of nourishing an “inner spiritual state”, means
contributing to create a “collective human abode” where elevation of the
intellect becomes the supporting column allowing all of our actions in the world
to take root and give fruit. Any contribution offered in support of projects
like Siem Reap’s “School of Art”, I believe to be help given to all builders and
transporters of good will, humanity’s only real patrimony.
For information on adoption at a distance or to help the “Siem Reap’s School of
Art”, contact:
CIAI Onlus - Centro Italiano Aiuti all’Infanzia
E.mail: info@ciai.it - Internet:
www.ciai.it
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Luisa Casiraghi Curriculum
Luisa Casiraghi
(Born in Milan, Italy, on 1952)
dancer – choreographer – performer - photographer –
video-maker – video
images maker - archer
-
expert on oriental movement’s techniques -
“master teacher” of contemporary
dance and:
yoga breathing techniques and
martial art of “aikido” applied to dance
–
oriental sciences philosophy and religions studious,
and publicist.
___________________________________________________________
Professional CV
“Dancer”
Dancer of Carolyn Carlson Company: “Teatro Danza la Fenice”
in Venice - (from 1980 to 1985),
tournées in Europe, Italy and “Brooklin Accademy of Music” of New York.
Soloist with:
Larrio Ekson:
« Rambling » and « One to two »
Paris and Venice (from 1981 to 1982).
Jorma Uotinen:
« Atem » of Franco Donatoni
at “Teatro Alla Scala” of Milan, (1985).
“Choreographer”
“Choreographer and Soloist Dancer” of her own company:
“Luisa Casiraghi’s Company”,
Milan - (from 1985 to 1996)
Principal Creations:
« Neo » (1985), « Giù non c’è più nessuno » (1986), « Cactus »(solo) (1986),
« Frammenti »(solo) (1986), « All’estrema punta del suolo » (1988), « Grigue » (1989), « Primo piano » (solo)
(1991) », « Bahuaus Project » (1994), « Studio per Zahir » (1995), « Ricercar sulle
tre corde di mezzo » (1996), « Omaggio a Oskar Schlemmer » (1996), « Iniziazione »
(solo) (2002). Tournées in France , Germany and Suisse. « Dedicato » (solo created
for “Lama Lawang’s Fund Raising Appeal for Segyu Monastery” in Tibet) (2004).
“European Special Guest and Partnerships”
Guest in International Dance Festivals and
Partner of European Theatres Projects:
“Eurodanse”
International Dance Festivals
Mulhouse (Fr) (1987-1988-1989):
« Cactus », « Giù non c’è più nessuno »,
« All’estrema punta del suolo » (trio).
“Café de la Danse”
Paris (1986-1987): « Neo », « Giù non c’è più nessuno ».
“Tanz Fabrik”
Berlin (1988): « Cactus ».
“1° Mars”
Parigi (1988)
« Neo ».
“Olympia Werkstatt”
Berlin (1989-1991-1992): « Cactus » (solo), « Primo Piano ».
“Podewill Tanz Werkstatt”
Berlin (1993) « Bauhaus’s Project »:
master teacher for her « Aikido-dance
technique » work.
“Bonn Dance Festival”
Bonn (1989) : « All’estrema punta del suolo » (duo).
“Acta – Coté Danse – Département Culture du Bas Rhin - Sélestat”
(France), co-production for video creations (from 1990 to 1995).
“Chiasso Culture Department”
(CH):
production for video creations (1994).
“Teatro Pier Lombardo of Franco Parenti”:
choreographer for « Orestea Project » of Eschilo - Milan (1987- 1988)
“Teatro dell’Elfo” :
Guest Master Teacher for the international project:
« From Aikido to Dance » –
Milan (1989)
“Festival Sant’arcangelo di Romagna”
Sant’arcangelo di Romagna, « Neo »
“Teatro dei Rinnovati”
Siena (1988),
« Giù non c’è più nessuno »
“Rassegna Danza all’Aventino”
Roma (1988),
« Giù non c’è più nessuno »
“Video Maker”
“Director and Images Maker”
First Italian Choreographer working on video choreography, expressly conceived
for video camera, and working at the camera images too.
Coproductions:
“Coté Danse – ACTA – Departement du Bas Rhin” (Fr) (from 1990 to 1995).
Video creations :
« Primo Piano », camera images Claude Le-Anh and Yves Schmitt
« Dall’altra parte della luna »,
camera images Claude Le-Anh and Luisa Casiraghi
« Entre-temps », camera images Claude Le-Anh
« Between two waters », camera images Claude Le-Anh
« Tokonomà », camera images Yves Schmitt.
« Fotogramma », camera images Luisa Casiraghi and Simonetta Bernardi,
produced by
“Departement of Culture” Chiasso -CH.
All the video-dance’s creations have been selected for Internationals Dance’s
Archives.
Guest for Internationals Video - Dance Festivals and Competitions (Berlin,
France, Suisse).
“Performer”
For video installations, galleries, exhibitions, galas, in Europe an Italy.
Specials performance’s creations on different “areas”(deserted industries’s
buildings, quarries, swimming pools, hospitals, arenas) as dancer,
choreographer, and video-maker.
Teaching
“Master Teacher”
Expert and European Teacher of
“Contemporary Dance”,
“Martial Art of Aikido” especially elaborated and applied to dance, and:
Yoga Breathing Technique, Body Oriental’s Techniques of Movement.
“Guest teacher” for International Dance Festivals in Italy, Germany, France,
Suisse.
“Luisa Casiraghi’s Contemporary Dance Techniques”
1985
She start to work out a personal approach to contemporary dance methodology and
teaching, based on her own experience of the “martial art” of “Aikido”:
“From the movement to the survival: the warrior of silence ®”:
based on “aikido” energetic space-projection principals, for dancers,
comedians,
artists,
reaching for a “body awareness” and “to be” awareness in the dynamic, using laws
of: fastness in extreme rapidity, power, agility, sense of “volume”, interior
silence, indispensability of the gestures, looking for the “survival” sense of
movement, reaching for the interior “warrior” of empty.
Stages in Berlin, all Italy.
1988
“Dynamic Water ®”
A dance teaching’s Methodology created and conceived “into” the water, and based
on body’s awareness of dynamic Aikido’s projections, using “dynamic” and spirals
conception movement-water, to get to a new form of dance’s concept and creation.
Workshops in Berlin (1989 – 1989 – 1990 - 1991).
Creation of a video with Claude Le-Anh:
« Between two waters ».
“Photographer”
From 1975, Dance and Theatre Photographer – Arts Photographer –
Portrait Photographer – Still Life Photographer – Reportage Photographer
Monographic Italian Expos.
Periodical’s issues on:
“Photography Magazine”
“Les Nouvelles Esthétiques”
(Italy)
“Writer and Journalist”
From 1998 periodical issues of articles concerning:
oriental philosophy and religions, human’s sciences, oriental body
movement
techniques,
Thalassoterapy Center and SPA in the World,
on: “Les Nouvelles Esthétiques” – Italy.
“Poet”
« Les Epices du Souvenir »
Collection of Poems
(1982)
AWARDS
Choreography
On 1986 she receive the:
First Prize as
- “Best Italian Company” -
at the “International Choreography’s Competition” of Cagliari - Italy.
On 1987 she is the:
- Finalist representing Italy at the
“International Choreography’s Competition of Bagnolet” -
Paris.
Video
On 1991 she receive the
Prize as “Best Photography” for “Video Choreography”
at “Il Coreografo Elettronico” of Naples
with « Primo Piano »,
with camera images of
Claude Le-Anh.
Follow different “worth of note” for the “form of video projects” and
realisation,
in many Europeans Video-Dance-Choreography Competitions.
Actual work
“ Dancing the Earth like the Sky ®”,
is the actual “interior” project of Luisa Casiraghi’s dance, the answer to a new
“awareness”.
In this view, dance, for her, became more than always, a way of a
“human
spiritual been”,
rotted in strong “spiritual believe”.
Going on with her experience of “Aikido” applied to dance, reaching for a
“way beyond dance”,
today Luisa Casiraghi work more and more on the “power of the body, connected on
Universal Laws” of movement, reaching for the “expression” of those Lows, and
for the “to be” connected with them.
Dance as expression of “her-self” or any emotional “to be” or “message” or
meaning, have leaved the place to another “status” of awareness and deep meaning
of the sense of
“to move”.
For this reason, on 1998 she decided to stop to dance, create and teaching,
ling in the shade, away from “stage lights”,
to be able to throw to her mind the challenge of this “interior silence”,
able, for her, to transform her body in a “warrior”,
in the “witness” of the Sky, rotted into the Earth.
That warrior who know the power of gracefulness, the nobility of simplicity, the
dignity of a prayer, the force of lightness, the transparency of deepness.
The practice of the art of “archery” is the last important step of her “own”
building the “architecture of interior body’s power”, in this intimate self’s
connecting with the “human spiritual verticality”, that for Luisa Casiraghi is
the expression of an eternal intimate “Prayer”.
And this body’s “Prayer” became today her dance.
In
2003,
“Dance the Earth like the Sky ®”
became the way for a important human and spiritual project:
“Dance for a peace’s abode”.
One year ago Luisa Casiraghi met the Tibetan Monk
“Lama Lawang”,
of “Kunpen Lama Gangchen Center” of Milan, Italy.
This “meeting” became a further important step on her spiritual way,
started on 1985 with her Indian Yoga Master Swami Sivananda
Hridayananda,
of Sivananda school of Rishikesh, India, and with her Aikido Masters:
Mimmo Masetti, (6° Dan) and M° Noro,(9° Dan).
From 2001, Lama Lawang brings on a important project:
the reconstruction of “Seghiu’s Monastery”, on Tibet, his originary Monastery
and one of two important tantric colleges of “Vajrayana” buddhist
tradition,
destroyed in 1966 by Communist Chinese Army.
Luisa Casiraghi decided to totally embracing and “supporting” this project of
“Fund Raising Appeal for Segyu Monastery”,
on first person, writing articles to make the project known, and helping to
collect funds.
And to reach this, on 2004, she decide to come back to stage,
with the solo:
“DEDICATO”
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