Pichet Klunchun

The Thai dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun combines the style of traditional Thai classical dance with modern dance sensibilities, at the same retaining the essence and wisdom of an age-old tradition. At the age of 16, Klunchun was trained in khon, the genre of Thai classical mask dance, under the guidance of Chaiyot Khummanee, one of the best khon masters in Thailand. After receiving his degree in Thai classical dance at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Klunchun pursued theatre both as a dancer and a choreographer and performed at high-profile events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. Subsequently, he also became active in contemporary dance.

Pichet Klunchun has been famous in his country for infusing Khon with a modern sensibility. In recent years, the internationally established dancer and choreographer has participated in several intercultural performing arts programmes as a representative of Thailand, and has performed in North America, Asia and Europe. In 2004, Pichet founded Pichet Klunchun Dance Company, a group of independent, rising, freelancing dancers, with a strong background in Thai classical dance.

Klunchun has received numerous distinctions, including the Chevalier of the French Arts and Literature Order from the French Ministry of Culture, and the ‘Routes’ ECF Princess Margriet Award for Cultural Diversity from the European Cultural Foundation, honouring artists and thinkers in the field of cultural diversity for helping to combat fear and disrespect of ‘the other’.

WORKSHOP 

Deconstructing the traditional body

Cycle B: 18 July – 1 August

This workshop will tackle the mythology of ancient drama in the context of Thai classical movement and practices. How can an actor’s body, brain and creative output be trained to act as an intermediary between people’s beliefs from the past and the real world in the present time?  By deconstructing traditional body movement and practices, participants will be physically engaged and gain a deeper and greater understanding of elements of their own tradition (i.e. dances) from a contemporary perspective. Khon (traditional Thai dance focused on classical masks) and its revitalizing treatment by Pichet Klunchun will act as an example of how an archetypical cultural reference such as ancient drama can continue to evolve and reinvent itself through the ages.