Dance Across Triangular Borders – Processes of Decolonization in Contemporary Dance

Two-day panel programme, conceived and moderated by Sandra Chatterjee
Hosted by the Dance Department of Theater Freiburg

The contemporary dance scene, both in Germany and in the global North, appears to be diverse and the question of the dissolution of discriminatory mechanisms and structures has long been negotiated on stage. However, the dynamics of discrimination and exclusion, hidden or misunderstood racism, the dominance of Eurocentric and white perspectives and the transmission of colonial images via supposedly culturally influenced views on contemporary choreographies and performance practices are still omnipresent. The very concept of the "contemporary" also exposes itself in dance as a generally Western-colonial construction that must be subjected to critical analysis.

Under the title "Dance Across Triangular Borders - Processes of Decolonization in Contemporary Dance", the two-day panel will critically examine cultural and aesthetical power relations and privileges, highlight local and international decolonising approaches and bring multiple and different perspectives into dialogue. BIPOC, decolonising, post-migrant, anti-racist and critically white perspectives from the global South form the centre of the discussions. The aim is to question apparent and actual, visible and invisible borders, to negotiate links between local and international artistic positions and, above all, to sharpen the focus on decolonising impulses and processes.

Speakers on day 1:
Zora Snake (Cameroon), Surjit Nongmeipakam (India) and Lara Kramer (Canada)

The two panel days will be complemented by a video installation with short impulses from Artists of Colour in dance in German-speaking countries, articulating multiple perspectives of the highly diverse scene.
With contributions from Tatiana Mejía, Sara Mikolai, Duduzile Voigts, Edwin Ramirez, Mario Lopes, Özlem Alkış, Gaya Dandara, Amanda Piña and Amelia Uzategui Bonilla.