Dimitri Chamblas Leads Workshops in Inflatable Dome for Performa 17 Biennial

The Environment-Bubble, designed by Francois Dallegret (Photo from Performa 17 Facebook)

On Nov. 8-9, Dimitri Chamblas, dean of The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance at CalArts, leads free, public workshops in New York City and Brooklyn. The dance workshops are part of the Performa 17 biennial, and are being held in architect Francois Dallegret’s “Environment-Bubble.” Brought to life for the first time, the structure originates from the architect’s legendary 1965 blueprint design for Reyner Banham’s article “A Home is not a House” published in Art in America.

Envisioned as a utopian re-conceptualization of domestic living, “The ‘Bubble”—a flexible and temporary dome—“became a reference point for generations of architects questioning their discipline and seeking a radical dissolution of public and private spaces,” notes the Performa website.

Chamblas’ workshops are a collaboration with Dallegret and architect Francois Perrin to transform the transparent, inflatable dome into an artistic space for public engagement. On Nov. 8, two workshops will be held in Central Park at 12 and 2 pm. On Nov. 9, three workshops will be held in Brooklyn Bridge Park at 12, 2 and 4 pm. All levels of dance are welcome. Events are free with RSVP: manuela@performa-arts.org.

Chamblas joined CalArts faculty this fall as the dean of the Dance school. The celebrated French artist is the former director of 3e Scène, Paris Opera’s creative digital platform. He is a co-founder of Edna with choreographer Boris Charmatz. Together they have organized events, performances and exhibitions. Their duet “A bras le Corps” has been performed on every continent in world-renowned theaters and festivals.

Founded in 2004 by art historian and curator RoseLee Goldberg, Performa is a leading organization dedicated to exploring the critical role of live performance in the history of 20th-century art and to encouraging new directions in performance for the 21st century. Performa is known worldwide as the first biennial to honor the history of live art in all forms. Performa hosted its first biennial in 2005.