“At the core of my choreographic thinking is human existence, the human body and the movement it produces. For me, movement itself is enough of a starting point for making a choreography. This idea is based on my holistic understanding of the totality of human beings, where the body also “thinks”. The human body has a record of its own life history, and the entire evolution of our species is stored in our body on a cellular and genetic level.”
– Alpo Aaltokoski
Alpo Aaltokoski’s unique kinetic signature has been honed through more than 30 years of making choreographies. The choreographer’s aim is to understand people, and their relationships with each other and the world around them. His works resonate through their timeless, cross-cultural themes, while simultaneously addressing current issues.
Aaltokoski’s works are characterized by holistic visual thinking and a strong grip on movement, which has always made them appealing, also to spectators who are not necessarily already familiar with dance as an art form. Key components of experience in Alpo Aaltokoski’s works are empathy and humanity.
In praise of clarity of thought
Liisa Vihmanen about Alpo Aaltokoski’s choreography Okon Fuoko
Published in liikekieli.com 31.08.2015
“Even though there are a lot of different kinds of movement material, the work avoids becoming confusing by staying well within its own choreographic framework. This shows that the creator’s idea is so clear that enough space has opened up to allow movement within its bounds. Aaltokoski knows how to move even larger groups of dancers. What is special is that Aaltokoski dares to use lines and rows, shapes that offer the spectator a moment of quietude where the mind can breathe and the sometimes painful process of understanding can be put on hold for a while.”
Alpo Aaltokoski Company is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of Finnish contemporary dance
Company was founded in 1995 to perform contemporary dance works under the direction of choreographer-dance artist Alpo Aaltokoski. During his career, Aaltokoski has created more than 65 choreographies and Company’s works have been performed in more than 30 countries across five continents: Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and Africa.
Alpo Aaltokoski Company strives to promote the development of Finnish dance art by actively working to improve its status and accessibility. Its actions are based on strong principles of justice and community, and it aims to make high quality dance art and create a culture in which art has intrinsic value.
Supporters
“In a commercialized world, art is the last refuge where one can reflect the past, present and future, free from the demands of productivity.”
– Alpo Aaltokoski