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Member Spotlight: Q&A with Noam Gagnon | Artistic Director, Vision Impure

How would you describe Vision Impure in a sentence?

Impure is an interdisciplinary dance company exploring the poetry of being human through movement, presence, and the transformative intelligence of the body.
 
What was the artistic path that led you to building the company?

My artistic path has always been guided by curiosity — a desire to understand, experience, and communicate through the body. Dance has been my lifelong companion, a place where I continue to discover, question, and transform.

Over many years as a dancer, choreographer, and educator, I have been deeply influenced by the relationship between physicality and imagination, technique and freedom, discipline and vulnerability. My journey has moved through performance, choreography, teaching, anatomy, and embodied practices, with each experience adding another layer to my understanding of movement and human expression.

Vision Impure was born from a desire to create a space where dance could explore the complexity of being human — where movement could reveal our stories, our questions, our emotions, and our connection to one another. It became a place for continued artistic inquiry and for exploring the body as a vessel of memory, transformation, and possibility.
 
What inspires the work the company creates?

The work of Vision Impure is inspired by the richness and complexity of human experience — our memories, relationships, emotions, contradictions, and the invisible landscapes that exist within us.

I am fascinated by the intelligence of the body and its ability to communicate what words cannot. I am inspired by moments of transition, by the spaces between certainty and uncertainty, and by the small details of life that often reveal something profound.

Collaboration is at the heart of Vision Impure. Each creation is shaped through dialogue with dancers, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and collaborators who bring their own perspectives, experiences, and artistic voices. The work grows through these encounters.
 
How would you describe dance’s impact on your life?

Dance has shaped who I am. It has been my language, my teacher, and my way of connecting with the world.

Through dance, I have learned the importance of listening — listening to the body, to others, and to the present moment. It has taught me patience, resilience, courage, and the importance of staying curious.

Dance has shown me that the body is not simply something we move, but a place where we experience, remember, imagine, and create. It continues to challenge me, inspire me, and remind me of the endless possibilities of human expression.

My journey in dance has also given me the privilege of sharing knowledge with others. Through teaching and mentorship, I continue to explore how movement can awaken awareness, deepen understanding, and create meaningful connections between people. Passing on this embodied knowledge has become an important part of my artistic practice.
 
What three core values drive your engagement with dance? 

Curiosity — remaining open, questioning, and continuing to discover new perspectives.
Presence — cultivating awareness and a deeper relationship with ourselves, others, and the moment we are experiencing.
Connection — creating opportunities for meaningful human exchange and shared experiences through movement.
 
Any upcoming projects or news you can share with us?

I am continuing the development and presentation of new work with Vision Impure, including my solo dance creation being, a 55-minute performance created in collaboration with live music. The work explores presence, identity, and the profound simplicity and complexity of being alive.

This project has also expanded into new forms of collaboration, including the creation of a site specific short film with the highly talented filmmaker Dan Loan, and a live performance collaboration with the spectacular musician Stefan Smulovits. These partnerships continue to deepen the exploration of movement, sound, image, and presence that are at the heart of Vision Impure.

Alongside my choreographic work, I continue my practice as an educator and mentor, exploring the relationship between movement, anatomy, awareness, and embodied learning through dance, Pilates and Franklin Method.

What would you say are the most significant benefits for you in being a Dance Centre member?

Being a member of The Dance Centre provides a meaningful connection to the dance community in British Columbia. It offers opportunities for artists to connect, exchange ideas, access resources, and feel supported within a larger artistic ecosystem.

After many years as part of Vancouver’s dance landscape, I deeply value the sense of community and continuity that The Dance Centre represents. It is a place where artists are recognized, supported, and reminded that dance is an essential form of expression, communication, and connection.

Vision Impure Website
Noam Gagnon Member Profile
Vision Impure Instagram
Noam Gagnon Instagram
Beyond Pilates Instagram
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Photos: Eric Zennstrom