CAREER RETROSPECTIVE

Meet Blanca Li, the Choreographer Adored by Beyonce and Pedro Almodóvar

by W Staff

Over the twenty plus years since she started Blanca Li Dance Company, the choreographer and performer Blanca Li has created works that cross all dance mediums. The 1999 Macadam Macadam played with hip hop, skateboarders and BMX on a half-pipe ramp. Her 2013 piece Robot featured a “smart robot” who danced alongside humans. In addition to her company work, Li has also done choreography for Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Paul McCartney, Michel Gondry and Pedro Almodóvar—conceiving of a particularly memorable performance of The Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited” in the director’s comedy of the same name—and, she has directed five films herself. Needless to say, she is a widely known artistic figure in European circles.

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Blanca Li

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Maria Alexandrova performing in Stella McCartney.

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Sketches by Stella McCartney for Blanca Li.

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Blanca Li performing in Sophie Theallet.

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Sketches by Sophie Theallet for Blanca Li.

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Maria Alexandrova performing in Stella McCartney.

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Blanca Li performing in Azzedine Alaïa.

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Blanca Li performing in Jean Paul Gaultier.

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Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova performing in Sophie Theallet.

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Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova performing in Jean Paul Gaultier.

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Blanca Li performing in Azzedine Alaïa.

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Photo Courtesy of Artist

Blanca Li

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Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova.

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Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova

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Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova

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Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova

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Photo Courtesy of Artist

Blanca Li and Maria Alexandrova

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Blanca Li