The Board of Chunky Move today announced that Ms. Anouk van Dijk will take over as Artistic Director following Gideon Obarzanek’s departure at the end of 2011.
Anouk van Dijk is an internationally acclaimed choreographer, whose work has toured extensively throughout her home country of The Netherlands, and far beyond throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Her appointment builds on Chunky Moves’ commitment to supporting the creation of dance that surprises and delights. Anouk’s work attracts broad audiences through an approach, which is daring, innovative and unpredictable in both its form and context.
Anouk van Dijk began her career as a dancer, and for almost a decade was lead soloist with the Rotterdam Dance Group and Amanda Miller's Pretty Ugly Dance Company. In 1998 she formed her own company, anoukvandijk dc creating work both distinctive and unpredictable, which has toured the globe attracting broad audiences and critical acclaim. Her enthusiasm for collaboration with individual artists and companies has delivered vital and exciting co-productions –she is currently premiering the site specific, outdoor work MENSCH on the island of Terschelling (Netherlands), which then relocates (and reincarnates) to the sheds of the former Dutch Dock and Shipbuilding Company in Amsterdam. This follows the presentation of TRUST (a co-production between anoukvandijk dc and Schaubühne Berlin with regular creative collaborator, writer and director Falk Richter) which opened the 2011 Festival Transamerique in May after performing at the Perth International Festival of the Arts in February. Anouk’s work STAU performed in Australia at the Adelaide Festival of Arts and Sydney Opera House in 2006.
Peter Biggs, Chair of the Chunky Move Board said: "It was always going to be an Herculean task to find somebody to replace Gideon, Chunky Move's founder and the creative inspiration behind the organisation's stunning and sustained success over the last 14 years. However, after an intense national and global search, the Board is delighted to appoint Anouk. She has the stand-out international reputation, sensational body of work, undoubted artistic vision and uncanny fit with the distinctive culture and values of Chunky Move to be able to lead it in the next phase of its adventure."
Anouk van Dijk said: “I feel very proud and excited to have been appointed Artistic Director of Chunky Move. Like Chunky Move, I like to push boundaries and embrace the challenges and surprises this brings. Like Chunky Move, I love craft, diversity and engagement. I think because of this, Chunky Move chose me and I chose Chunky Move. I am looking forward to this new perspective and to collaborating with many great Australian artists.”
Chunky Move Artistic Director Gideon Obarzanek said: "After embarking on a worldwide search for the best director to lead Chunky Move into a new and vibrant era, I am very excited and confident that that person is Anouk van Dijk. With her wealth of experience, boundless energy and enthusiasm, passionate commitment towards dance training and talent in choreography, I am very proud to have Anouk as my successor."
Anouk van Dijk will commence her hand-over part time from January 2012, relocating to Melbourne in June 2012 when she will assume the full time role of CEO and Artistic Director.