Kjersti Alveberg

Kjersti Alveberg (26 July 1948 – 19 October 2021) was a Norwegian choreographer and dancer.[1][2] Over the last 30 years of her career she created ballets for stage and television and won prestigious awards for her work.

Kjersti Alveberg
Alveberg in 2009
Born(1948-07-26)26 July 1948
Oslo, Norway
Died19 October 2021(2021-10-19) (aged 73)
NationalityNorwegian
EducationNorwegian National Academy of Ballet
Occupation(s)Choreographer, dancer,
film director, artistic director
Years active1975–2021
Websitewww.alveberg.com

Early life

Kjersti Alveberg began to dance at the age of four, but not until she was 19 she took the decisive step of starting her dance studies at Norwegian National Academy of Ballet in Oslo, working at the same time at Chat Noir as a dancer. Aiming at sociology she went on to study dance in New York City, Amsterdam, London and Paris before attending the Nansen Academy. For several years she was a freelance dancer at the Oslo theatres, in fringe groups and in television. For 5 years she was a dancer, actor and singer at Det Norske Teatret doing musicals and plays, also working in TV and in fringe dance companies. Her choreographic debut came in 1975, with "Tomorrow?" at The Norwegian Opera's Ballet Workshop.

Breakthrough

Alveberg 2009.

In 1984 Kjersti won international acclaim, when her TV ballet "Beyond Reach" achieved 3rd prize in Prix Italia. The same year the Norwegian dance and theatre critics chose her ballet as that year's best stage production. The "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust", inspired by Ibsen's Peer Gynt, was awarded the jury's Special Prize in Prix Italia 1986 plus other national and international TV awards. TV producer Jannike Falk certainly has contributed to the success of Kjersti Alveberg's many dance films, well worth mentioning is "Who is the one?"/"Bønn" (1996) to new music by Jan Garbarek and poems by Rumi. Alveberg has also cooperated with producer Stein Roger Bull. "Dance Macabre" (1995) is one of several NRK ballets made for The Eurovision Summer Concert at Holmenkollen. Kjersti Alveberg has choreographed several ballets for New Carte Blanche: "Amber" and "Echo", both televised in NRK. When establishing stately support for Carte Blanche, (Norway's modern dance company), Alveberg was an artistic front figure. In 1990 her full length ballet: "Volven", (Scandinavian saga of creation), premiered at The Norwegian National Ballet with music by Synne Skouen, later touring Denmark, Aalborg and The Royal Danish Opera. In 2000 The Norwegian National Ballet presented "Volven" for the third time. "Volven", (the Norse goddess of destiny) was first danced in 1989 by Indra Lorentzen, in 1994 by Nina Bjørsvik and in 2000 by Ingrid Lorentzen. "Volven" has been said to be the most grandiose and poetic epos created by a Norwegian choreographer so far.

In 1991 she won the prestigious competition of ideas for the Norwegian Olympic Ceremonies. The Lillehammer Opening Ceremony in 1994 was built on her concept of ideas. Kjersti was artistic leader for the Olympic Ceremonies for 1 year, with choreographer Sølvi Edvardsen as her co-director. In 1992 she created Norway's presentation at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.

"Babies of Babel" was created for The Norwegian National Ballet in 1998. "Journey On Dreamt Ocean" in 2001 was inspired by the universe of painter Terje Ytjhall.

  • In 2005 she released her book Visions. Eye On Dance. Press publishing house. Her declaration of love for dance as an art form
  • In 2005 she was appointed artistic director for the opening ceremony of The Norwegian National Library.
  • In 2007 she created the cross-over performance:"@lice", commissioned by Concerts Norway and The Norwegian national touring theatre.
  • In 2008 she directed and edited "@lice" for TV with Mats Claesson/Sarah Rosenbaum. Exposed in NRK2 2009.
  • In 2009 she was appointed head of the jury for Telenor's International Culture prize.

Alveberg's ballets have always been thematically oriented - many were inspired by art, philosophy, poetry and music. Norwegian TV has created two portrait programs about Kjersti Alveberg: "Metropolis" (1990) and "Dance Me!" (2003). Produced by Morten Tomte and Jannike Falk.

Personal life and death

Kjersti was the older of two sisters, Siri and Eli. Her parents: Per Alveberg (1921–2009), a pioneer of rehabilitation/ social worker. Kari Alveberg,(1926) specialized teacher/children with learning disabilities. Kjersti was married to journalist Anders Hoff in Oslo 1981–89. From 1990 to 2000 she lived with chiropractor Knut Assjer in Asker. Kjersti has one son, Noah Alveberg.

Kjersti died on 19 October 2021 at the age of 73.

Productions

Year Title Notes Production Company
2010NanoBallet. RepertoryOslo National Academy of the Arts
2009TranscendanceBallet duetOslo National Academy of the Arts
2008@lice[3] Crossover performance. Filmed and telecasted in 2009 by NRK2[4] Co-production, Riksteatret/Concerts Norway
2006Cubaret[5] BalletOslo Dance Ensemble
2005Hush![6] Artistic director of the Opening CeremonyNational Library of Norway
2004Mirror ("Lille Speil")[7] Guest performance Nice/France.
It's about time ("Nett No!")[8] Guest performanceHarare/ZimbabweOslo National Academy of the Arts
2003Dance Me ("Dans meg")TV portrait of AlvebergNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Dancing Cuba![9] Filmed and directed, TV DocumentaryNordisk Films, TV2
2002It's about time ("Nett No!")[10] A full evening production at Det Norske TeatretNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
2001Mirror (Lille Speil)Full evening productionDet Norske Teatret
Space and man ("Rommet og mennesket")As Dancer/ChoreographerNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Journey on dreamt ocean ("Reise på drømt hav")Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
2000Mini MachoNorwegian National Academy of Ballet
Volven ("Volven")Full evening ballet, new version, third cast.[11] Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
1999Zap Zombie ("Skjeve Blikk")New version, Norway tour, telecasted on NRKOslo Dance Ensemble
Fragile Moments ("Skjøre Sekunder")Solo Line Alsaker (100 years' anniversary)National Theatre, Oslo, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Tikk Takk 1000New years' gala 2000Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Norwegian National Academy of Ballet
1998Babies of Babel ("Babels Barn")[12] Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
1997Zap Zombie ("Skjeve Blikk")Norwegian National Academy of Ballet
1996Who is the one ("Bønn")[13] NRK BalletNorthvision
In MeSoloNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1995Dance MacabreEurovision. Summer concert HolmenkollenNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Alveberg Evening20-year anniversaryCarte Blanche
1994Picasso's Women ("Picassos kvinner")20 years' anniversaryHenie-Onstad Art Centre
In OneBallet performed at Carte Blanche, Oslo Dance Ensemble, Brussels (guest appearance)National College of Dance
1993Echo ("Ekko")First prize, Video Dance International Grand Prix.Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1992AlbertvilleArtistic director for the Norwegian entry, Olympic GamesNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Moments ("Øyeblikk")BalletOslo Black Box Theatre
1991Secrets ("Lokk")Competition for young dancersEBU
1990MetropolisTV portrait of AlvebergNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Fragile ("Glassdrøm")Dance Film, awarded Video Dance International Grand Prix.Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1989Volven (Scandinavian saga of creation)World premiere, tour Denmark, Alborg, Royal Theatre CopenhagenNorwegian National Opera and Ballet
1988Amber ("Rav")Telecasted on NRK, Carte BlancheBergen International Festival
1987SpiritsBallet, telecasted on ZDF, Competition for young dancersEBU
1986YRSolo Alveberg.Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1985Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust ("Aske, Skodde, Støv for Vinden")TV ballet from Ibsen's Peer Gynt.Prix Italia Jury's special prize. Winner Amanda Award, winner Dance for Camera, New York. Winner Video Dance International Grand Prix (2 awards).Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
MediaSolo Alveberg. Competition for young dancersEBU Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Now ("Nå")Winner: Dance Critics' Award, The Norwegian National BalletNorwegian National Opera and Ballet
Beyond reach ("Utenfor rekkevidde")TV production as dancer/choreographerNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1983/19846 Dance VideosSummer concert HolmenkollenNRK Eurovision
1981ExodusSolo dancede by Marianne SkovliNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
BlueSolo danced by Indra LorentzenNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1980Sweet & sour Journey ("Reise i sur-søt saus")Norsk Danseteater, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1979Decadans ("Dekadans")Workshop, young choreographersNorwegian National Opera and Ballet
Creations ("Skapelser")NRK's 10th anniversary, performed at Henie-Onstad MuseumNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1976Wish you were here ("Skulle ønske du var her")TV Ballet, regi Istvan Korda KovacsNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation
1975Foot ("Fot")BalletStudio Oscar
Tomorrow? ("Imorgen?")Ballet workshop at The Norwegian National BalletNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation

Publications

  • Visions - Eye on Dance Press Forlag (2007)

Visions – Eye on Dance is her declaration of love for dance as an art form. It is also a jewel of a book, a pictorial documentation of her unique private universe. All of her most important stage and screen productions are presented here in large format in the form of digital paintings. Alveberg's ballets have always been thematically oriented, many were inspired by classical literature and art. Her stage interpretations have been like great tableaux on canvas, depicting a wondrous fantasy world. In this book, she also takes us behind the scenes, into the workshop, without breaking the spell. Visions permits readers to make their own journey into Alveberg's world.

Awards and honours

Babels Barn, foto Knut Bry, Ingrid Lorentzen
  • 2008: Aase Bye's award[14]
  • 2006: StudySphere selected Alveberg's website as one of the best educational resources on the Web in the category "Choreography & Choreographers"
  • 2005: Visions — Eye on Dance, Biography of Alveberg[15]
  • Head of the Telenor Culture Award jury
  • 2002: Oslo City Culture Award[16]
  • 1998: The Norwegian Center for the Art of Dance — Prize of Honour
  • 1997: Telenor Culture Award. "Limitless Communication"[17]
  • 1996: Festival International. Program Audiovisuel. "Dance Macabre"
  • 1994: Video Dance International Grand Prix. "Echo", TV ballet, First prize. TV Transmission
  • 1990: Video Dance International Grand Prix. "Fragile", TV ballet
  • 1989: Video Dance International Grand Prix. "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust", Jury's special Award (two prizes)
  • 1988: Dance on Camera, New York. "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust"
  • 1987: Amanda Award/(Norwegian Oscar). "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust"[18] (Free Artistic)
  • 1985: Prix Italia Jury's special Award. "Ashes, Mist, Windblown Dust"
  • 1985: Dance Critics' Award "Now"[19]
  • 1985: Prix Italia, third prize. "Beyond Reach"
  • 1984: Oslo City art award[20]
Kjersti Alveberg creating the Norwegian Olympic Ceremony in Albertville, France

References

  1. Hansteen, Valdemar (19 October 2021), "Kjersti Alveberg", Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian Bokmål), retrieved 20 October 2021
  2. "Kjersti Alveberg", Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian Bokmål), 19 October 2021, retrieved 20 October 2021
  3. "Theatre Trial in Nydalen". Oslopuls.aftenposten.no. 19 February 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  4. "Curl Alfa on the main stage". Nrk.no. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  5. Henning Høholt. "Oslo Dance Ensemble on the offensive". kulturkompasset.com. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  6. Arvid Skancke-Knutsen (15 August 2005). "The King opens the National Library". Ballade.no. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  7. Roquebrune Cap-Martin (7 June 2004). "Tiny mirrors / Scenes from a cohabitation". Danseinfo.no. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  8. "Statens Balletthøgskole er 25 år" [National Ballet School is 25 years] (in Norwegian). scenekunst.no. 8 November 2004. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  9. "Dance Film". Dagbladet.no. 25 May 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  10. Grete Nordtømme (29 November 2002). "Online now!". Pluto.no. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  11. "Volven". pluto.no. 6 February 2000. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  12. Bente Frøytlog (23 February 1998). "Whetstones on opera". Dagbladet.no. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  13. "Who Is the One? - Series Overview - MSN TV". tv.msn.com. 12 July 1999. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  14. "Scenekunst" (in Norwegian). scenekunst.no. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  15. "Visions / Visions: Eye on dance". Bokklubben.no. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  16. "Kjersti Alveberg - Oslo City of Culture 2002". Bystyret.oslo.kommune.no. 22 April 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  17. "Telenor's culture prize for 1997 to choreographer Kjersti Alveberg". Presse.telenor.no. 19 February 1998. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  18. "Amanda WINNERS 1985 - 2003". Filmweb.no. 27 August 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  19. "Dance Critics". Caplex.no. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  20. "Previous winners of the Oslo City's art Award". Bystyret.oslo.kommune.no. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
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