Alexander Carrillo, Colombian-born and Berlin-based choreographer, dancer and maker. Carrillo focuses his artistic research on the “ugly” and grotesque in humans, seeing it as a mirror of reality. He questions ideas of “beauty” and the role of the audience in the performing arts. In this perspective, he is investigating the influence of indigenous traditions and customs in western societies, from the essence of pure rituals until contemporary fashion and pop cultures. His work is developed through historical research with a contemporary point of view, looking into the personal, social and political through an interdisciplinary approach.
Alexander having studied his diploma in Dance at the University Folkwang in Germany, did an Erasmus at ArtEZ, in Holland and at the University of Art ASAB in Colombia, (MA – emphasis in contemporary dance). He also creates open platforms for artists. In the last eight years, he has emerged in the knowledge of ancestral cultures and other methods of communication, social development and listening. He has been certified in MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) by the Medicine School of Massachusetts. And through meditation he develops specific methods for body awareness complemented with his artistic knowledge.
Launched the DREIZIG Festival in Berlin and DASEIN Series, site-specific world-project in 2012. Since 2002 Carrillo develops his own work: his last pieces El Ultimo Vuelo, winner of the National Competition of Choreographers, Belgium 2017, Human Intermittents: A Journey finalist of Choreographers Competition, Poland 2014 and WhARTever Should Happen: Eine Welt Auf dem Kopf, Berlin 2016/19, back in 2020, among others dance pieces and art projects. Carrillo work in 2019 Manifiesta, Manifiestos for Queer Future as choreographer for the artist Aerea Negrot & Simon Paetu at HAU Hebbel am Ufer – Berlin, in 2018 took part of the price ‘flausen residence for young Artist’ Germany and at the Berlin Biennale with Okwui Okpokwasili. Has worked with Stella Zannou, Ivo Dimchev, Jérôme Bel, Louis Malvacias, Jeremy Nelson, Malou Airaudo, Rodolpho Leoni, Mark Sieczkerek, Henrieta Horn, Charles Vodoz and the Cie. Fors Works of Denmark, Cie. Toula Limnaios of Berlin, Theater Der Klänge Germany, and Deutsche Oper am Rhein. He has also collaborated with artists, including Marina Abramović, Art Collective Estereotips, Allora & Calzadilla, Reinhard Schiele, Veronica Moniello, Alejandro Huari and his dramaturg Carolina Ortega.