Finnish dancer bring his ‘Deep’ themes to Seoul

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Published: 02 Mar. 2006, 22:46

Finnish dancer bring his ‘Deep’ themes to Seoul

Alpo Aaltokoski, one of Finland’s most established choreographers, is in Korea to show off two of his famous dance productions.
His solo piece, called “Deep,” is based on the Finnish artist Milla Moilanen’s computer-animation flim of the same name. The 15-minute-long dance suggests that what the human eye sees differs from reality.
The other piece, “Promises,” is a duet the choreographer performs with Pirjo Yli-Maunula, his dance partner, to express dreams and fears.
“Finnish contemporary dance is an unfamiliar genre for Korean audiences, but [audience members] liked it when they saw Tero Saarinen,” said Amie Ann, project manager for Sonoann, a non-profit organizer of cultural events in Europe and Korea.
Tero Saarinen was a Finnish dancer who performed a “fusion dance” last year at the 2005 Seoul International Dance Festival. Many of the younger audience members at the time said Saarinen’s work spurred their interest in Finnish contemporary dance.
“[That’s why] we decided to invite Aaltokoski,” who is better-known than Saarinen, Ms. Ann said.
Aaltokoski, 48, majored in choreography at the Department of Dance at the Finnish Theatre Academy. He staged dozens of acclaimed contemporary dance works on such abstract ideas as death, the importance of the subconscious, privacy and the nature of life.
He has performed “Deep” and “Promises” in Canada, Germany, Lithuania, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Venezuela and the United States, but this is the contemporary artist’s first visit to Asia.
Aaltokoski arrived last week in Korea and has had some opportunities to talk with Korean students interested in Finnish dance. He participated in a workshop at the Department of Dance at the Korean National University of Arts earlier this week.

by Lee Min-a

Alpo Aaltokoski will perform in the Starsands Theatre at the Goyang Cultural Foundation tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m. The theater is a 15-minute walk from Wondang station on Line No. 3. For directions, visit www.artgy.co.kr. Tickets cost 15,000 won ($15) to 20,000 won. For reservations, call 1544-1559.