Édouard Lock (born March 31, 1955) is a Canadian contemporary dance choreographer and director, best known as the founder and artistic leader of the avant‑garde dance company La La La Human Steps. His work is distinguished by its high‑velocity movement vocabulary, integration of multimedia elements, and collaborations with artists across music, theater, and visual art.
Early life and training
Lock was born in Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada. He studied modern dance at the École Supérieure de Danse du Québec (now the Université du Québec à Montréal) and later with the Canadian dance group Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, where he was exposed to both classical and contemporary techniques.
Founding of La La La Human Steps
In 1980, Lock established La La La Human Steps in Montreal. The company quickly gained an international reputation for its kinetic intensity and unconventional staging. Early works such as Human… (1982) and Neurosis (1983) showcased a blend of rapid footwork, angular gestures, and pulsing scores, often featuring collaborations with avant‑garde musicians.
Major works and collaborations
Lock’s choreography has been presented at major festivals and venues worldwide, including the Festival d'Avignon, the New York City Center, and the Paris Opera. Notable productions include:
- Amjad (1992) – a collaboration with the Bangladeshi composer and vocalist Amjad Ali, exploring cross‑cultural musical textures.
- Amroz (1995) – a large‑scale piece featuring over 75 dancers and a score by the rock band The Velvet Underground’s former members, noted for its kinetic complexity.
- Androgyne (1996) – created for the National Ballet of Canada, merging classical ballet technique with Lock’s trademark rapid movement.
Lock has also worked with musicians such as David Bowie, who invited La La La Human Steps to perform as part of his Glass Spider tour in 1988, and with the rock group The Rolling Stones, providing choreography for their 1995 Voodoo Lounge tour.
Style and influence
Lock’s choreographic language emphasizes speed, precision, and a stark aesthetic that often incorporates industrial lighting, stark set designs, and digital projections. Critics have described his style as “mechanical poetics” and “the embodiment of kinetic modernism.” His approach has influenced a generation of contemporary choreographers who explore the intersection of dance with technology and popular culture.
Awards and recognition
Lock has received multiple honors, including:
- The Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (2010).
- The Prix Denise-Pelletier, Quebec’s highest honor for performing arts (2003).
- The Prix Benois de la Danse nomination for Amroz (1997).
Later career and legacy
After disbanding La La La Human Steps in 2012, Lock continued to create works for various companies and to mentor emerging choreographers through workshops and residencies. He remains an active figure in the Canadian and international contemporary dance scenes, contributing to academic discourse on movement and digital media.