Kubilai Khan Investigations

Artistic direction: Franck Micheletti

Creation: 1996

Established more than 20 years and with 25 creations performed in France and more than 60 countries, Kubilai Khan investigations is recognized as a creative platform with many facets, a source of artistic dynamism of both local and international scale. From the coasts of Mozambique right across to the bay of Tokyo, sliding from one time zone to another, activating the transversal natures of artistic languages and questioning cultural issues.
Artistic projects never cease to question the mutations of our space/world, probing the depths of the transformations in progress, observing the continuous emergence of reality and its representations through the encounters between arts, territories and people. An international dynamics is experienced through the shows on tours and furthermore during the numerous residences and creations in the different locations (up to now many works have been created, rehearsed and shown beyond our borders collaborating with artists in Japan, Ghana, Mozambique, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Bulgaria, Poland, Indonésia and Mauritania).

By promoting the “two-way” perspective, facilitating crossovers between local involvement and international projects, Kubilai Khan has been able to fully develop synergy with those encounter groups, multiplying points of view and enabling different visions and spoken thoughts thus to contribute by being present within and across diversified territories. Journeying, coming closer to others in the “use of the world” as Nicolas Bouvier has said. This “two-way” perspective allows us to develop within several towns in France and our foster home, Toulon and its region, this momentum of opportunities by instigating many performances for public spaces. Totally new forms, journeys, pathways drawn up on site, all inviting the public to renew its vision of society and the places we occupy in our towns.

At a time when many networks cross each other, strategic crossroads of movement, transfers and ultra-rapid mobility in this world of many poles continuously redefining itself, these dynamics of journeying remain for us a privileged terrain from which we can observe the processes of modernization as they become even more transitory, changeable and unpredictable, from where it is also possible to observe and listen to the new uses and faces of the future.

Since its inception, the company has been the «artist associated» with different organizations and their territories (CNCDC Châteauvallon in Ollioules, Pôle Sud in Strasbourg, the Arsenal in Metz, the national theatre La Comédie in Clermont-Ferrand, the Louis Aragon Theatre in Tremblay-en-France). Thus we have developed specific and appropriate forms through a relationship with the town, its urban structure and social fabric structure. We have also defined ways of passing on experience gained and encouraged meetings with the different townsfolk involved. In 2011-2013, the compagny is in residence in Théâtre Paul Eluard at Bezons. in 2016 it starts a new association with les Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine Saint-Denis and le Théâtre du Beauvaisis.

We have sought to formulate our methodologies of work which are enhanced by the collective reality of our daily lives. Bodies who are intimately aware of their immediate relationships with the town.
As a sort of micro-political positioning, a micro-geography, dance as a medium of journeying, going beyond limits, triggering experiences. Today Kubilai Khan continues its journey by way of forms and stages, continues interweaving and crossover gestures, to move the locations where dance and music is presented, to find new visions. Choreographed pieces, paths through towns, site-specific performances, new constellations… as many sensitive and engaged marks, viewpoints looking onto the world.

Source: The company Kubilai Khan investigations ‘s website

More information: kubilai-khan-investigations.com