Bill Shannon
(United States)
Bill Shannon is known internationally as a conceptual, interdisciplinary
performance and media artist. He considers his work rooted in street/club
culture and informed by the fine arts. Bill is widely recognized in the
dance and performance world, the underground hip-hop and club dance scene
as well as within the community of artists with disabilities. His performance
and video work have been presented nationally and internationally over the
past 10 years.
For more than ten years, Bill Shannon has been making his mark on the most
prestigious alternative stages in the U.S. and around the world, and waking
up the streets of New York and Chicago with his kinetic exploits. As well
as being a renowned dancer and choreographer, Bill expresses himself through
video, writing, drawing and installations. Bill regularly presents shows in
the United States and at contemporary art and dance festivals in France, the
United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland and Jordan.
Bill Shannon was one of the creators of the Cirque du Soleil’s Vareki and has
won numerous performance awards.
The New York Times wrote: Bill Shannon defies gravity as he floats above the
ground, sweeping forward in smooth strides on titanium crutches. He spins,
twirls, then freezes, looking like an oddly beautiful sculpture of flesh and
metal. His gliding mobility seems almost magical.
As part of Abilities Arts Festival 2005, Bill Shannon was a featured performer
at the festival's evening gala held at the Glenn Gould Studio. During the 2005
festival Bill also hosted a workshop that provided insights into his unique
form of dance.
