Dimitris Papaioannou, Stage director, Choreographer, Performer, and Visual Artist

Cathy Levy chats with world-renowned Greek artist Dimitris Papaioannou on the eve of the North American exclusive National Arts Centre presentation of his new work Transverse Orientation. He speaks of his early years as a visual artist and student of the iconic Greek painter Yannis Tsarouchis, his introduction to the world of movement and the successes that led him to direct the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He credits Claire Verlet with launching his international career which exploded after presenting Still Life at Théâtre de la Ville in 2014. Several works followed including co-commissions with many international theatres. He then became the first artist to create a full-length work for Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. Lastly, he shares the very personal origin of and issues at play in creating Transverse Orientation.