In an era where the boundaries between artistic disciplines are increasingly porous, Kianí del Valle emerges as a defining voice. The Puerto Rican-born, Berlin-based artist is a visionary force in contemporary performance, whose work rigorously explores anthropological inquiry, colonial histories, and the metaphysical through the medium of dance.
Fresh from a critically acclaimed Australian tour of her latest ensemble work, CORTEX, del Valle’s practice continues to gain urgent relevance within international art circles.
Del Valle’s work is rooted in a deep, research-driven process that dissects the nuances of the human condition. She describes her methodology as an exploration of "physical exhaustion, intuitive groove, movement meditation, and ritualistic practices," often channeled through a lens that is magical, surreal, and dystopic. As the founder and artistic director of the KDV Performance Group, she has developed a distinctive ensemble practice that investigates the androgynous, displaced, and decolonized body, creating a collective somatic lexicon.
Her recent work, CORTEX, co-commissioned by Barcelona's Sonar Festival and Berlin's CTM Festival, exemplifies this approach. The piece probes the implications of human consciousness persisting beyond mortality, using fragmented digital visuals to reconstruct the dancers' identities in real-time. Following its premiere, CORTEX has captivated audiences on an international tour, most recently in Australia, solidifying its status as a pivotal new work in live art.
While her autonomous art practice is showcased in institutions like the Albertinum Sculpture Museum, Hamburger Bahnhof, and Julia Stoschek Foundation, del Valle’s choreographic vision is also shaping broader cultural moments. This cross-pollination between the institutional and the commercial highlights the expanding influence of her artistic language. She recently directed and choreographed 40 dancers for the Yohji Yamamoto Y-3 show in Paris, imbuing the fashion spectacle with her signature narrative depth. Furthermore, she is applying her unique movement research to the upcoming Lorde tour, directing its choreography and translating her avant-garde sensibilities for a monumental stage.
"This movement between the gallery, the stage, and the festival is a natural extension of my practice," del Valle notes. "It's all about building worlds and investigating the same core themes, whether that investigation happens in a museum surrounded by silence or in a stadium with 50,000 people. The body and its stories are my medium."
Del Valle’s work refuses categorization, existing instead at the intersection of contemporary dance, performance art, technology, and sound. She is not merely a choreographer for hire but an artist whose expansive vision is redefining what performance can be and where it can belong.
Kianí del Valle is available for interviews and features. To arrange an interview, contact Claire Petersen, claire@quinto.com.
About Kianí del Valle
Kianí del Valle is a choreographer, director, and performance artist. Her work is an exploration of anthropological, biological, and sociological phenomena, often delving into Caribbean histories and Taino indigenous culture. She is the founder and artistic director of the KDV Performance Group. Her work has been presented at international institutions including the Barbican Centre, Sonar Festival, Berlinsche Galerie, Haus der Kunst Munich, and the Venice Biennale.