Dance Leads the Way as Art Meets Sport at the Cultural Olympiad

In the battle at the Olympia presented by RStyle, the organization of the hip-hop pioneer François Gautret, four illustrators from the Angoulême International Comics Festival drew the performers in real time to create, essentially, a live comic strip that was projected over the stage.

But the real jubilance came from the dancers, notably Campanita, the victorious B-girl who danced with force and fire but also understood that the spirit of a battle isn’t competition but generosity.

“The sport part is where athletes are showing they are the best,” Gautret said. “It’s all the competition spirit. But in culture we are talking more about exchanges, sharing with people.” What wins in a dance work? Imagination and individuality.

RStyle — the “R” refers to Riquet, in the 19th Arrondissement, where Gautret grew up dancing — also presented his more extravagant production, the cinematic, three-part “Hip-Hop 360 Show” at the Théâtre du Châtelet. It looked at hip-hop’s 50-year history and featured three choreographers, including Lehlouh, whose starkly poetic section was a dreamlike rendering of the body as a retainer of emotion.

Now, with the games in full swing, programming continues outdoors: There are performances at the Parc des Champions, where Olympic athletes will be celebrated, and a block party hosted by RStyle. On alternate days, there will be a vogue ball by Vinii Revlon as well as a performance by Merzouki featuring breakers, stilt-walkers and BMX. And there is also a mini-spectacle of classical and electro dance for 40 performers by the celebrated choreographer Angelin Preljocaj.

“It’s a kind of défilé,” Preljocaj said, “It’s like walking on the street and dancing, which is completely different than being onstage. In this case, the dramaturgy is completely pushing out. It’s a completely different art in terms of the sensation of the dancer.”

It’s a homage to the Olympic Games and to the joy of moving — no matter if it’s dance or sport. “I deeply believe in the wellness of the sport on the body and on the mind,” Preljocaj said. “I know if you move your body, if you invest with your body, your brain also grows. It gives you a kind of sweetness and joy.”