DAGADA dance develops dance formats that address existential societal questions, creating a lasting impact both on and through people.
For DAGADA dance, dance is an international and intercultural means of expression, and this perspective is reflected in how it is conveyed. Participation, co-creation, and mutual appreciation are the foundation of the collaboration between contemporary dance artists and non-professionals. These shared artistic processes result in striking presentations, performed in both indoor spaces and public outdoor settings.
Dance as an art form becomes directly tangible in the bodies of non-professionals. Through the personal experience of the creative process, a deeper understanding of dance as an art form emerges, fostering a lasting connection to cultural engagement. This collaborative work gives rise to a distinctive and authentic aesthetic.
Dance mediation…
DAGADA dance uses innovative dialogue formats to encourage exchanges with the audience and between art and science. In addition to the performances, various opportunities for discussion are created. These include moderated audience talks with experts on topics explored in pieces like “NAKED LOVE” or “HOW SOON IS NOW?”, as well as informal conversations over drinks, such as during the “pussy lounge.”
A unique format is the “TALK am TABLE,” where audience members are invited to a long table after performances like “PRIVILEGION” to share thoughts and questions over wine and snacks. The goal is to foster an open space for meaningful artistic dialogue, exploration of questions, and exchange.
These formats are enhanced by a broad supporting program: DAGADA dance offers free workshops in dance and creative writing, open to everyone aged 12 and older.
Since 2022, DAGADA dance has been collaborating with the Käte Hamburger Center for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies (CAPAS) at Heidelberg University. This partnership facilitates expert lectures and the TALK & DRINKS format with scholars, offering insights into key topics ahead of selected performances.
… and participation
DAGADA dance opens up artistic processes and invites interested individuals to participate in research processes during the creation of the pieces:
In her 10-month research, Karolin posed her central question “How do you love?” in over 50 interviews as the starting point for a personal conversation in the living room or kitchen of the participants. The results were artistically processed in her blog, the LoveArchive.
The citizen project “HOW SOON IS NOW? performing cities” is aimed at citizens of the participating cities, where the already existing project is reworked with a group of interested individuals. These participants are actively involved in the production process, as the core of the artistic work is the diversity of emotions. A broad discourse and the aesthetic genre of contemporary dance invite shared feelings, experiences, and processing.
