Crossing boundaries: dance, protest, self-expression
Among the residency phase of the Performing Gender project, the Community of Ljubljana met some traveling artists from Yorkshire Dance and Norrlandsoperan.
Mesto žensk / City of Women 2022:
Ples v tvojih čevljih
TC Howard, Predstavitev delavnice
Stara elektrarna, 8.10.2022
The first travelling artist for the City of Women community was with TC Howard. The process took a week of work, research and training in modern performance art, with a focus on modern dance, performance and authored theatre. Audience developers Sara Šabec and TC Howard talk about the group, its specifics and the issues that were open during the process with local artists Teja Reba and Vita Osojnik.
The plan was to explore how a body can move freely, clearly and authentically. Without feeling that something is a mistake or that there is something wrong with what you are doing. The idea was to connect to gender and identity expression, social norm and inductive experience.
Mesto žensk / City of Women 2022:
Ples v tvojih čevljih
TC Howard, Predstavitev delavnice
Stara elektrarna, 8.10.2022
We had 11 people, ranged in age from 27 to 71, met for the first time in October with TC. It was an informal meeting just to get to know each other and talk a little about the group's process and the methodology that TC uses in its work.
This was followed by a four-day workshop and the final public presentation as part of the International City of Women 2023 festival on October 9.
Mesto žensk / City of Women 2022:
Ples v tvojih čevljih
TC Howard, Predstavitev delavnice
Stara elektrarna, 8.10.2022
During the workshop, various techniques were used to foster artistic expression - reflection and writing about personal moments, improvisation, somaesthetic, participant observation, modern dance, performance, and author's theatre. The process brought the team closer together, and a connection was formed.
This was also reflected in the public exchange. A great team, knowing and trusting each other, staged a performative action that crossed the boundaries between dance, protest, self-expression, and classical tango steps.
Mesto žensk / City of Women 2022:
Ples v tvojih čevljih
TC Howard, Predstavitev delavnice
Stara elektrarna, 8.10.2022
Despite the constant feeling of uncertainty that was always present, the group overcame it together with the next workshop took place in November from 21 to 26 with travelling artists Sindri Runudde and Maia Means.
Sindri and Maia focused on a multi-sensory approach to the body as a living archive. The main perspective was how our lived experiences become part of our body and how they influence our senses and perception of body movement.
Performing Gender – Dancing in your shoes
Sindri Runudde, Traveling Dance Maker, Sweden
City of Women, Ljubljana, 22.-25.11.2022
Before meeting with Sindri and Maia, we had an off-the-record meeting to talk about their involvement in the process. All 11 participants agreed that they wanted to participate in the process and continue it until the end of the production.
They also decided that they did not want any newer participants, so we closed the group before the workshop. This was a really good idea because the participants in the workshop with Sindi really bonded and became a team. They got to know each other and started sharing their personal stories and intimate moments.
The community is now working on the production phase with Vita Osojnik and Brina Klampfer. Keep follow the updates on our Facebook page!
Performing Gender – Dancing in your shoes
Sindri Runudde, Traveling Dance Maker, Sweden
City of Women, Ljubljana, 22.-25.11.2022