As a longstanding patron of dance, fashion icon Gabrielle Chanel was a symbol of innovation, having catalyzed artistic connections across disciplines throughout her career – a distinctly modern approach that was embraced by Karl Lagerfeld and carried on today by Virginie Viard.
In a new collaboration, American Ballet Theatre partners with CHANEL to launch Pas de Deux, a limited documentary series exploring the intersection of dance and other diverse art forms. Premiering Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 7:00PM EDT on American Ballet Theatre’s YouTube channel and IGTV, ABT dancers and pioneering creators in art, music, food, and film come together to discuss their unique approaches and their shared inspirations.
Produced by Oscar®-winning Little Monster Films, each Pas de Deux episode sets the stage for two artists to delve into each other’s process and craft in intimate 15-minute conversations that culminate in new artistic creations. Created by ABT Soloist Gabe Stone Shayer, Pas de Deux takes viewers into the homes and workspaces of each dancer and collaborator, allowing these diverse creators the opportunity to connect virtually for an exchange of ideas.
“Pas de Deux is inspired by one of those nights in New York City where you meet interesting people who inspire you,” said Shayer. “The idea first hit me when thinking about how I could continue to create in quarantine. I wanted to highlight the innovation that is magnified by an artist feeling stifled. I’m obsessed with multimedia collaborations and felt this was the moment where we could explore the intersection of art and artists.”
“Dance as an art form has always inspired me,” said director Chai Vasarhelyi, head of Little Monster Films. “Whether our subjects are climbing vertical cliff faces or choreographing a ballet, we are inspired by movement, ambition, and creation. I have long been a fan of the ballet and having this opportunity to collaborate with some of the world’s best dancers alongside other iconic artists and creators has been so fulfilling for me. By connecting these great artists, we aim to transcend individual performance to create something entirely new.”
Creative pairings include:
• ABT Principal Dancer Isabella Boylston with master chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson
• ABT Principal Dancer Cassandra Trenary with Kat Sullivan, Artist in Residence at RLAB, New York City’s virtual and augmented reality lab
• ABT Soloist Luciana Paris with visual artist Chloe Wise
• Pas de Deux creator and ABT Soloist Shayer with Grammy Award®-winning singer, songwriter and actor Alicia Keys. Additional dance footage for this episode was directed and filmed by Pierce Jackson.