François Chaignaud

Choreographer
France

Portrait of François Chaignaud © Laurent Poleo Garnier

In 2025, Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels is supporting François Chaignaud for the presentation of different shows at the Festival d'Automne, the Festival de la Bâtie, the Théâtre de la Ville and the Biennale de Lyon.

A graduate of the CNSMDP in 2003, François Chaignaud has collaborated with several choreographers and created performances in which dance and singing unite at the crossroads of myriad inspirations. A historian in addition to his choreographic work, François Chaignaud has published L’affaire Berger-Levrault: le féminisme à l’épreuve (1898-1905).

His curiosity for history has driven him to initiate various collaborations, particularly with artists Marie-Caroline Hominal (Duchesses, 2009), and Théo Mercier (Radio Vinci Park, 2016). A dialogue between Chaignaud and Cecilia Bengolea sparked a series of works which have achieved international recognition, including Pâquerette (2008), Sylphides (2009), and DubLove (2013-2016). In 2017, Chaignaud created Romances inciertos, un autre Orlando, in collaboration with Nino Laisné. The show centers on androgynous figures from Spanish Baroque folklore. In 2018, he produced Souflette, a piece for 14 dancers from the Ballet Carte Blanche (Norway). The following year, he produced Symphonia Harmoniæ Cæelestium Revelatonum in collaboration with Marie-Pierre Brébant, inspired by the complete musical works of Hildegarde de Bingen. In 2020, Chaignaud created GOLD SHOWER in collaboration with butoh icon Akaji Maro.

Shows

Dancer holding a microphone and placing his hand on his mouth.

Fracas x 7
François Chaignaud
Aymeric Hainaux

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

François Chaignaud and Akaji Maro in a golden bathtub.

GOLD SHOWER
François Chaignaud
Akaji Maro

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Two men in motion on a tiny square stage, holding sticks with bells.

Mirlitons
François Chaignaud
Aymeric Hainaux

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Danseuse en mouvement

Petites Joueuses
François Chaignaud

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Motorcyclist in an underground parking.

Radio Vinci Park (Reloaded)
François Chaignaud
Théo Mercier

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Dancer from the back with a wooden costume.

Romances incertos, un autre Orlando
François Chaignaud
Nina Laisné

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Dancer covered in a latex bag.

Sylphides
François Chaignaud
Cecilia Bengolea

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

The dancer and the musician on a staircase set.

SymphoniaHarmoniae Caelestium Revelationum
François Chaignaud
Marie-Pierre Brébant

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Dancers climbing on a mound

t u m u l u s
François Chaignaud
Geoffroy Jourdain

With the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Dancer on a black background

Último Helecho
Nina Laisné
François Chaignaud
Nadia Larcher

Presentation supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Éclairages