Paradiso | Creative Industries Federation performance
Akademi welcomed 2018 by presenting a special performance of Paradiso: Man’s Enduring Search for Perfection at London’s Natural History Museum. Celebrating the third anniversary of the Creative Industries Federation (the national organisation for all the UK’s creative industries, cultural education and arts), the event was attended by hundreds of representatives from across the sector.
Choreographer Jose Agudo devised an excerpt which gave an evocative taster of the full 40-minute show, which premiered in May 2017 on the roof of the Royal Festival Hall and subsequently inspired audiences at a range of outdoor locations during the summer.
Joining Jose in performing the piece beneath the museum’s mighty blue whale ‘Hope’, were dancers Seeta Patel and Edd Arnold. Music was by Bernhard Schimpelsberger and the project was produced by Nina Head.
At the event, the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP struck an optimistic note in his debut speech, commending the creative industries for the impact they are having across the country and for Britain’s image around the world.
Introducing the event, Creative Industries Federation Chief Executive John Kampfner said: “Britain’s global reputation has made us a magnet for world-class talent who, in turn, have helped build our international renown.”
Mira Kaushik OBE, Director of Akademi, commented “Paradiso exemplifies the internationalism of Britain’s creative sector. With a Spanish choreographer, Austrian composer and a multi-ethnic cast, the piece draws on diverse cultural traditions and showcases both South Asian and Western contemporary dance and movement. We are hugely grateful to the Creative Industries Federation for inviting us to mark their third anniversary in such a spectacular way”.