Charles Alexis Desgagnes' artistry is beyond human. Every imaginable character or subject he is asked to experience through movement shines because his dauntless personality breaths life into every step.
On April 6th and 7th, Enforced Arch is presenting their latest work, ‘ALLIANCE’ Art & Activism, which features past and current pieces by creative directors James Koroni and Tracey Katof. Charles Alexis Desgagnes is a member of this project and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him join us on this adventure! After rehearsal this past week we had an opportunity to ask him a few questions…
Enforced Arch: How do you as an individual live the 'ALLIANCE' of Art & Activism?
Charles Alexis Desgagnes: Simple, I commit myself each day to always be a more compassionate and a less judgmental human being than the day before. I love being out of my comfort zone, as I truly feel it is the easiest, fastest and most rewarding way to grow. Dance is my 6th sense, my way to evoke thoughts and feelings as well as a tool to project concepts to other living matter that can't be told in any other way. I look forward to share and connect with my brothers and sisters around the world, using dance, art and activism as vehicles to distribute positive energy.
EA: What part of the rehearsal process or subject material did you find most inspiring?
CAD: Arriving later in the process, I truly enjoyed being part of the EA family right away, I felt quite at home in this eclectic group. I appreciate the intellectual and artistic process behind 'ALLIANCE' as movements are not only pretty movements but also representations of something else, something touchable, something palpable for the audience as well as the dancers. The social themes exploited, should it be animal welfare or the place of males in our society, are more than ever relevant and Enforced Arch does an amazing job at pointing them out.
EA: What did you learn from your experiences that you would like to share with others?
CAD: If there is one thing I learned in the last year is that even with all those amazing social opportunities at the tip of our fingers nowadays, people tend to disconnect the connection, in the sense that we easily forget that everything on this Earth is connected, humans, animals and plants. We are all one. People notice opportunities offered to them to engage in more social matters but sometimes toss them away by fear, ignorance or judgment. We need to let go of these negative patterns and reeducate our mind, spirit and bodies. Moving forward together, in the same direction, is the only way to do it. As a relatively new vegan, I also would like to share the immense feeling that comes from contributing to something useful in this world. It is truly the easiest and quickest way for anybody to really have a tangible positive effect on this planet and the creatures inhabiting it.
For TICKETS to ‘ALLIANCE’ Art & Activism, click here: EnforcedArch.com/tickets/
ALLIANCE: Part 1 – Lauren Cox ALLIANCE: Part 2 – Charles Alexis Desgagnes ALLIANCE: Part 3 – Katherine Roarty ALLIANCE: Part 4 – Alexandra Shieron ALLIANCE: Part 5 – Klara Beyeler ALLIANCE: Part 6 – Clara Lofaro ALLIANCE: Part 7 - Julio Hugo Penagos