Michel Schweizer (F)
Michel Schweizer attended the Conservatory of Bordeaux in Dramatic Art and studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts (Fine Arts School) in Bordeaux. He embarked on multiple experiences in the fields of art and contemporary dance in the 80s, a vigorous period of development and visibility, first as an solo-artist, then in collaborations. After the abrupt end of the long collaboration with the choreographer Isabelle Lasserre (1986-1994), he undergoes a violent existential crisis during which he is tempted to finish with all artistic undertakings.
Notwithstanding, in 1995, together with Sèverine Garat, he creates La Coma. Based in Aquitaine, La Coma has the goal to cover a diversity of artistic practices with the intention of redefining the notion of ‘profit’ and, in the current deleterious social climate, takes an attitude of political resistance as it could not consider doing otherwise. Projects are: “Assanies 1” (1996), “Assanies 2” (1997), “KINGS” (2000-2001) and “SCAN (More business – More Money Management)“ (2003).
Unclassifiable, although considered a choreographer, Michel Schweizer proposes creations in which theatrical scenes, contemporary art and a certain version of the ‘business company’ come together. His off-keel statements present a social and human reality which pessimistically admits the inadmissible: that cultural institutions and works of art are merely a question of ‚business’. He carefully avoids working with professional actors or dancers and calls his interpreters ‘service providers’ which he ‘dis-locates’ as he works with professional boxers, cabaret singers or dog trainers, etc. He designates himself a ‘manager’.
Since 2005, Schweizer is associate artist at the Espace Malraux – Scène Nationale de Chambéry et de la Savoie and associate artist at the Le Cuvier – Center for choreographic development in Artigues-près-Bourdeaux for the next three years (2008-2010).

www.la-coma.com