Bio
Michel Alex
(aka MICHEL GIGOLO)
SYNOPSIS
He's a French-Portuguese performer artist, musician, writer and metteur en scène (play director). He assumes his professional life as an artistic decathlon in which he has also forged a consistent and tangible transdisciplinary work, extending into other avant guarde fields, such as the visual arts, the creation of theme contents, new concepts of cultural entrepreneurship, curatorships and international mentoring, mainly on the Erasmus platform. He is one of the three founders of the Custom Circus company, Nirvana Studios - Alternative Cultural Center, Custom Café Theater, Band Boxes - Musicians Macro Community, Erasmus Hub, among other pioneer projects in Portugal also recognized in Europe. He was born in Paris - France in 1970.
LITERATURE and DRAMATURGY
"MEKANON"
Novel from the awarded Atland series - Adamastor Grand Prize of Portuguese Literature 2021 (Editorial Divergência 2019; Dramaturgical Register 2004)
"LE CABARET ROCK"
Novel Series - Curatorship by Júlio Pêgo
(Edições Trebaruna 2023, Original Dramaturgy 2008))
English Version - Brodom Publishing 2024
Vol. 1 - Abattoir Lullaby
Vol 2 - Gigolo Dance
"POETS OF METAMORPHOSIS"
- Co-written with Daniela Sousa, and Rui Gago -
The Custom Circus Milestone Book
(Edições do Pelouro da Cultura da Câmara Municipal de Oeiras 2023)
"ATLAND"
Novel from the Atland series (vol.5) - With the seal of the Museu Nacional dos Coches - Lisbon (Editorial Divergência 2022)
"ENYGMA OEIRAS"
Novel from the Atland series (vol.4) - With preface and seal from Fundação Marquês de Pombal
(Editorial Divergência 2021)
"A FANTÁSTICA MALDIÇÃO GUTKIN - THE FANTASTIC GUTKIN's CURSE"
Biographical Chronicles (Edições Verbi Gratia 2020)
"WAGON VILLAGE"
Novel from the Atland series (vol.3) - With seal of the Fundação do Museu Nacional Ferroviário - Entroncamento (Editorial Divergência 2021; Dramaturgical Register 2016)
"RAUS HUMAN"
Novel from the Atland series (vol.2) - With the seal from Nirvana Studios - ERIH - European Route Of Industrial Heritage (Editorial Divergência 2019)
"HERDEIROS DO APOKALIPSE - APOKALIPSE HEIRS"
Upcycling Art Manifesto
(Edições do Pelouro da Juventude de Oeiras 2016; Dramaturgical register 2005/2016)
"A SAGA DA RODA - THE WHEEL SAGA"
Post Apocaliptic Novel
(Editorial Divergência 2019, Edition Nirvana Productions 2004, Author's Edition 1988)
COLLABORATIONS IN OTHER PUBLICATIONS
"Enciclopédia do Terror Português - Enciclopedia of Portuguese Horror"
(Edições Verbi Gratia 2023)
"Steampunk Almanac 2022"
(Editorial Divergência) - Under the pseudonym Michel Gigolo
"BANG! Magazine - Theatrical article" (Edições FNAC / Saída de Emergência 2022)
"Adolfo Gutkin, A Multicultural and Rebellious Utopia"
(Giostri Editions - Brazil 2019)
"Steampunk Almanac 2019"
(Editorial Divergência) - Under the pseudonym Michel Gigolo
"Nirvana Studios Tour eBook"
(Play Store 2015)
MUSIC and DISCOGRAPHY
As music director of the company's original soundtracks, he has recorded that discography together with the Custom Circus musicians.
"ABATTOIR LULLABY" (2022) Album
"VOYAGES DE L'ÉMOTION" (2021) Album
"DIESEL PUNK" (2020) Album
"ABSURDIUM" (2017) Album
"BIZARRE CHIC (2014) Album
"LE CABARET ROCK" (2012) Album
"GIGOLO DANCE" (2008) Album
"CUSTOM CIRCUS (2007) Album
MISE EN SCÈNE and PERFORMANCE
In these strands he has combined a journey that begins in the original dramaturgy of the company to the incarnation of his own characters on stage.
"POETS OF METAMORPHOSIS" - (2023)
"LE CABARET ROCK" - Reloaded (2022 - present)
"GOING CRAZY" - (2021-2022)
"ART FOR PEACE" - (2021)
"LOCO'MOTIVE" - (2020 - present)
"ABSURDIUM" - (2017-2019)
"A VIAGEM" - Best Of (2015-2017)
"HERDEIROS DO APOKALIPSE" "The Performance" - (2016-2019)
"BIZARRE CHIC" - (2014-2015)
"LE CABARET ROCK" - (2012-2013)
"GIGOLO DANCE" - (2008-2011)
"FIRE PERFORMERS" - (2007-2008)
"PRISONERS OF THE BLUES" - (2006-2007)
"THEATER ON WHEELS - (2005-2010)
"CUSTOM PARTY" - (2004-2010)
"FULL MOON" - (2004-2006)
"CUSTOM PARADE" - (2003-2009)
"A SAGA DA RODA" - (2002)
ART - MAIN EXHIBITIONS
He was one of the three co-creators of the following projects:
- A COLECÇÃO PARADOXAL -
"SAGA CARAVAN"
Resident piece at the Museu Nacional Ferroviário - Entroncamento, curated by Manuel de Novaes Cabral - Since 2021
"LOCO''MOTIVE"
Resident piece at Nirvana Studios, curated by Silvana Bessone - Since 2020
"ATLAND MONOWHEEL"
Resident piece at the Museu Nacional dos Coches - Lisbon, curated by João Mendes Rosa - Since 2019
----
LIMBUS INFINITUS
Vernissage at STRANGE Gallery in 2020
Curated by the Fundação do Museu Nacional Ferroviário by Maria José Teixeira and Carla Alexandra Serapicos
HERDEIROS DO APOKALIPSE - Time Capsules
Since 2016 - Vernissage at Oeiras Marina
Curated by Fátima de Llera
NIRVANA STUDIOS - OUTDOOR ART GALLERY
Opened since 2004
TELEVISION
Screenplay and co-protagonist:
LOCO'MOTIVE
TV Documentary
TVI Channel - Portugal
Produced and Directed by West Coast Films
60 minute feature
2025
Stage Director and co-protagonist:
LE CABARET ROCK
TV Special
Distributor, Film In
Produced and Directed by West Coast Films
55 minute feature
2023
PROJECTS, CULTURAL SPACES and MAIN CONCEPTS
He was one of the three co-creators of the following projects:
"CUSTOM CIRCUS"
Transdisciplinary Theater and Visual Arts Company
Conceptualized in 1988 - Founded in 1996 - Consolidated in 2002
"NIRVANA STUDIOS"
Alternative Cultural Center
Conceptualized in 1996. Founded in 2003
"BAND BOX - BAND BOXES"
Macro Music Community
Founded in 2003 - Patented in 2010
"CUSTOM CAFÉ THEATER"
Transdisciplinary Performance and Concert Hall
Conceptualized in 2004 - Started in 2008 - Opened in 2012
STRANGE GALLERY
Pluridisciplinary and Experimental Gallery
Inaugurated in 2004 - Called Black Box until 2012
CUSTOM VILLE
Residencies for Artists and Students
Opened in 2017
ERASMUS HUB
International Reception Platform for Cultural Internships
Inaugurated in 2022
ART EXPRESS
Wall of Fame
Cosmopoiltan Artist Residencies
Inaugurated in 2008
TUTORING
He has been a tutor for cultural courses since 2008, working with several universities, polytechnics and professional schools, nationally and internationally, collaborating mainly in the Erasmus program.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
"Oeiras Fora da Caixa" - Editorial coordination (since 2017)
"OBS - Oeiras Band Sessions" - Host Jury (since 2009)
"STRANGE Gallery" - Has been one of the resident curators (since 2006)
"EFO - Escola Flamenca de Oeiras" - Cultural Consultant (since 2006)
"Nirvana Studios Festival - Open Day" - Artistic direction (since 2004)
CHRONOLOGY
(1994 - 2004)
Was field manager at "Expo'98 - Lisbon" and "Lisboa'94 - Capital of Culture" in the areas of Street Theatre and Avant-garde Performances, collaborating with the production company Eutaxia-Assessoria Cultural, among others.
In 1996 he co-founded the Nirvana Produções company, where he started his career staging corporate events and multimedia theatrical happenings for film and album releases for the studios Warner, Polygram,,BMG, Sony, Universal, among others. In this same corporate, he worked with several artistic companies, designing exclusive events in the multinational panorama. He closed this cycle in 2004, after staging several events for emblematic periods such as the "Euro 2004".
In 1997 he was co-creator of the "Digital Award of the Portuguese Phonographic Association".
Between 1996 and 1997, in the production company Nirvana he co-created and co-produced in the ex-Aquaparque do Restelo the two editions of "GML- Grande Meeting de Lisboa", which was the 1st Portuguese event dedicated to Custom Culture in its entirety.
(1990 - 1994)
In Lisbon at "Faculdade Moderna" he studied law with two interruptions between 1990 and 1993; one because he was mobilized by the French army during the Gulf War, opting to serve in the Portugal army under his 2nd nationality, and the other due to his passion for show business, a calling which led him to drop the law course.
Was an assistant at the "IFICT- Instituto de Formação e Investigação Cultural e Teatral" from 1991 to 1992.
Was a seasonal roadie free lancer of pyrotechnic FX at the front of the stage of the "U2" and "Dire Straits" tours from 1991 to 1992.
In 1992, at the invitation of the Argentine director Adolfo Gutkin, he joined the company "Eutaxia - Assessoria Cultural" for the tour of the Archaos french company (Italy-Spain-Portugal). But due to the dissolution of that troupe that same year, he continued with Gutkin in the tours of the companies La Fura Dels Baus and Els Comediants. As an assistant and ad hoc disciple his professional relationship with the director and producer Adolfo Gutkin extended until 1999 as a member of his directing and production teams in more than a hundred shows with the following artists:
Ana La China (ES)
Arturo Toscanini (IT)
Bolshoi Ballet (RUS)
Kirov Ballet (RUS)
Minsk Ballet (RUS)
Bederen Bat (ES)
Brunchu (ES)
Chick Corea (USA)
Christophe Berthonneau (FR)
China National Circus
IFICT Company (PT)
National Argentine Company
XPTO Company (BR)
Cossacks of Russia
Elena Obraztsova (RUS)
Els Comediants (ES)
Gelabert Azzopardi (ES)
Groupe F (FR)
Guirigai (ES)
Jacka Maré Spino (FR)
Jêrome Deschamps (FR)
Karmen Larumbe (ARG)
La Cuadra de Sevilla (ES)
La Fura Dels Baus (ES)
Marcel Marceau (FR)
Marimbondo (PT)
Michael Nyman (UK)
Mummenschanz (CH)
Pupi & Fresedde (IT)
Olissipo (PT)
Kiev Opera (RUS)
Pekin Opera (CHN)
Bulgarian National Opera
Tarbes Orchestra (FR)
Pirotecnia Minhota (PT)
Pirotecnia Oleirense (PT)
Plan K (BE)
Plasticiens Volants (FR)
Semola Teatre (ES)
Ta Fantastika (CZ)
Teatro do Ornitorrinco (BR)
Theatre du Mouvement (FR)
Titanic (FR)
Transe Express (FR)
Tricicle (ES)
Turbo Unit (UK)
UR Teatre (ES)
Vol Ras (ES)
Xarxa (ES)
Zyriab (ES)
CHRONOLOGY
(1980 - 1990)
(1989 - 1990): Was one of the assistants of Portuguese sculptor Luis Valadares
(1988): Greatly influenced by Post Punk Industrial, French intervention theater and nouveau cirque that was raging at that time, he wrote the book "A Saga da Roda-The Wheel Saga" that would later fertilize Custom Circus seed.
(1984 - 1989): Attended courses in Art, Design and Physical Education in general education, intermittently between France and Portugal.
(1982 - 1988): Began youth acting in Paris at the théatre amateur of the colonie de la Porte de Versailles. Later in post school activities he attended multidisciplinary performance workshops, nouveau cirque and plastic arts with the street artists of the Centre Pompidou and at the Colonie d'Issy Les Moulineaux. He learned piano and later blues harmonica, playing in garage groups in the underground scene.
OTHER FACTS and CURIOSITIES
He was conceived in 1969 by existentialist parents. With a hippie sister as his spiritual guide, he lived a free Tom Sawyer-style childhood divided between the banks of the Seine and the Tagus. Thanks to his parents' work in 5-star hotels, events, and theaters in Paris, he was an adorable child who occasionally imposed his annoying presence on artists like Bob Dylan, Elizabeth Taylor, or Salvador Dali. With his family also being part of the premiere cheerleaders of mythical halls like the Moulin Rouge, Olympia, Folies Bergeres, Crazy Horse, Calcutta, Lido, L'opera, and Le Chatelet, he also grew up amidst sets, projectors, actors, dancers, and musicians.
As a teenager he strongly connected to the 80's Avant guarde scene. His many influences include explosive cocktails of Punk, Gothic, Blues, Psychobilly, bohemian jams, Cabaret, anarchic Theater and Rocker & Biker gatherings in a condensed mix of Ramones, Edith Piaf, Joy Division, Muddy Waters, The Cramps, Mad Max, Johnny Cash, Easy Rider and Stanislavsky.
Constantly challenged by a restless soul, he has also experimented beyond show business with various professions and lifestyles, such as entrepreneur, craftsman, publicist, market vendor, antique dealer, truck driver, translator, activist, free surfer, and a 1% biker throughout a decade. These several life trajectories empirically shaped his multidisciplinary path, also paving his literary series.