ASEM Cultural Festival: 2018 | I am a Demon

A captivating performance bringing together Thai Khon traditions and contemporary dance.

Dance Monday, 29 October 2018 Studio, BOZAR Brussels, Belgium

Since he was 16 years old, Pichet Klunchun has studied Khon, a traditional Thai mask dance, under Chaiyot Khummanee, one of the big names of the genre. Today, he’s a choreographer and dancer with a worldwide reputation. Pichet created this show in 2005 in homage to his mentor, who had died 3 years before. It deals with the intergenerational transmission of the art of the Khon dance and the relationship between master and disciple in daily life, following up on a question the artist asked himself: “What should you do to perfectly embody the character of a demon?” The young man devotes himself to a real exercise in the deconstruction of the syntax of the Khon dance, approaching the technique step by step, followed by the emotions of a demon.

I am a Demon is the outcome, dazzling with colours, sensuality and life. Pichet Klunchun studied Traditional Thai Dance at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and subsequently worked as a dancer and choreographer before being invited to participate in most major events in this field. After a few years he took his first steps in the world of contemporary dance. In his home country he is universally acclaimed for his efforts in bringing together Khon and contemporary dance.

Artist: Pichet Klunchun (Thailand)

Read HERE our interview with artist Pichet Klunchun on his perspectives on traditional and contemporary approaches, as well as his experience working in the international context.

The event is part of ASEM Cultural Festival 2018, CLICK HERE for the full programme.