SYNOPSIS

IN A ROOM, WHOSE DOOR MUST REMAIN OPEN, ANNA D. PLAYS (WITH) HERSELF...

In a society that suppresses her sexual desires, Anna D. the stage seems to be the only possible sanctuary.

 And so she claims

caresses, distorts, disarms, 

shares and exposes it.

'The Works of the Flesh Are Manifest' (TWOTFAM) focuses on the creation of intimacy on stage and the power relations that it carries forward. The performance departs from Anna D.'s diary entries, illustrations and poetry which will be staged through movement.

TWOTFAM is an invitation to honour one's erotic self through interconnectedness. It is a carnal celebration of movement, music and speech as an antidote to invisibilisation and humiliation. It is a party, but climaxes are neither the goal nor the end of the evening because 'it's my party and I cry or come if I want to...

TWOTFAM is a relaxed performance. It is therefore accessible to everyone who benefits from a flexible atmosphere and proceeds in a caring and relaxed environment where everyone can freely express their emotions without concern. Any vocalisations, gestures or even movements from the audience during the show are accepted and kindly received. A Chill-out space is provided for audience members who may need to take a break.

CREDITS

concept & text: Anna Dujardin, Fanny Vandesande & Bo Alfaro Decreton

performance: Anna Dujardin

voice-over: Niamh Smizmar Ní Chuilinn and Gytha Parmentier

choreography & costumes & scenography: Anna Dujardin & Fanny Vandesande

direction & production: Fanny Vandesande

light design: Helmut Van den Meersschaut

audio introduction & on stage introduction: Victoria Hopchet

light technician: Constantin Binard

sound design: Ruben Nachtergaele

music & composer: Kobe Boon

trailer: Brecht Van Vliet

dramaturgy, direction assistance & surtitles: Bo Alfaro Decreton

co-production: KAAP & Kunstencentrum VIERNULVIER

partners: Stad Gent, Platform-K, workspacebrussels & OPEN

with: LaGeste & Aditivzw

thanks to: Joanna Reusse (Collectief Textiel), Josefien Cornette, Storm Calle, Rudy Carlier, Nina Reviers (UAntwerpen), Sabiene Hanoulle (UAntwerpen), Tine Theunissen, Tina Goethals, Inge Blockmans, Sahar Rahimi, Ans Van Gasse & Merel Vercoutere

COLLABORATION

Dujardin and Vandesande met each other through Platform-K where they collaborate Anna as dancer and Fanny ad artistic mentor, teacher and choreographer. Within that context, it became clear that their artistic and conceptual core questions are very much intertwined as their research focuses on the erotic experience as a catalyst for the creative process but also on the creation of intimacy on stage with only the context as a connecting force between the creator and spectators, as well as spectators among each other. This also includes addressing the power relations inherent in this constellation. In addition, they are also very interested in developing methodologies where movement and dance are informed by texts, illustrations and objects (in terms of textures).

PRESENTATION CONTEXT

Relaxed Performance

Audiences are made aware of the fact that TWOTFAM is a relaxed performance through texts or trailers about the performance shared both online through the website and emails of the presenting/(co-) producing institution and social media channels, but also in any printed leaflets or brochures. Before every show, there will be a brief general introduction in which the conventions of the relaxed performance are being repeated, so that everyone is aware of this presentation context. Ideally, this is accompanied by prior specific introductions for spectators with vision and/or hearing impairments. The elaboration of this production pillar is done in close cooperation with Victoria Hopchetthe Centre of Expertise for Accessible Media & Culture and Tine Theunissen,responsible for audience development at VIERNULVIER, amongst others.

Open aftertalk

Besides the introduction, TWOTFAM is ideally presented with the possibility of attending an open aftertalk with the makers and a local expert connected to the subject of the performance through lived experience in art practices, activism or research. The goal is to open up the conversation and interact with the spectators after they've seen the show. The intention is to develop and use barrier-free communication methodologies so that we can count on the participation of the spectators as partners in dialogue to create a valuable, connecting moment. As the topics of the performance (sexual desire, agency, intimate citizenship...) may or may not explicitly guide the open aftertalk, we are aware that these can be triggering. Therefore, the aftertalk should be held in the presence of a local professional who can provid guidance and support if necessary.

Participation

During the making of TWOTFAM, the idea arose to offer a workshop that builds on the themes explored in the work, such as the components of eroticism, sexuality and pleasure, the scope of sexual identity and its fluidity, the delineation and exploration of one's own and others' boundaries...

Through the workshops (one-off or in a series), a collective investigation into desire, intimacy, consent and corporeality is carried out. For this workshop series, Dujardin and Vandesande start from dance and movement but also combine this with a methodology that focuses on activating the sense of touch and tactility to come to an exploration and conscious embodiment of one's own world of touch and gesture. They also deploy illustrations, poetry or diary excerpts, as well as simple objects drawn from the participants' own everyday world. Dujardin and Vandesande illustrate this methodology with authentic material from TWOTFAM. Throughout the initial exploratory conversations and at the pace indicated by the participants, the group will discover the topics to develop and refine their own line of research.

To conclude the workshops, a try-out and/or feedback moment can be organized that, in addition to providing critical enrichment, provides the necessary connection to further deepen and broaden the explores topics, beyond the walls of the dance studio.The workshop is the ideal way for Dujardin and Vandesande to share their expertise with participants in an interactive way, but also to engage in a dialogue as both the makers and participating performers can enrich each other artistically and broaden each other's perspective by connecting bodies, experiences and stories of all kinds.