In a time marked by political polarisation, the rise of far-right ideologies, pressure on democratic institutions, climate crisis, war and conflict, In Dance We Trust – Movement in Times of Crisis asks what role dance and choreography can play in responding to political and societal crises.

How do artists engage with the world around them through their artistic practice? What responsibilities do they hold as active voices in society, and how can dance and choreography engage with, expose or challenge structures of power, discipline and resistance?

The seminar brings together artists with different perspectives and practices for a conversation about the relationship between art and politics, and the possibilities of dance in a changing world.

Panelists:

• Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi (Italy/Germany): Italian choreographic duo whose artistic practice explores symbols, flags and collective identities. Through choreography, they examine nationalism, abstraction and the political charge of movement.
• Pouya Pour-Amin (Iran/Norway): Musician, composer and performing artist with a multidisciplinary practice spanning music, performance and theatre. He began his professional artistic career as a musician and composer in 2003 and expanded into theatre in 2011, working as a musician, actor and director. Since arriving in Norway as an artist-in-residence, he has composed and performed at Hvitsten Salong and Ultimafestivalen.
• Jassem Hindi (France/Palestine/Norway): Sound artist, performer and choreographer whose work explores the relationship between haunting and hospitality. Through broken dances, sound and text, he examines cycles of violence and the political use of folk dance.

Moderator:

Manuel Pelmuş (Romania/Norway): Choreographer and artist based between Oslo and Bucharest. Pelmuş is considered a key figure in the “new performance turn”, reimagining the role of performance within contemporary visual art. His work explores the relationship between the body, memory and the construction of history.

In collaboration with Fritt Ord, Italian Institute of Culture, KHiO, Safemuse.