BITCH, a dance spectacle: A Brazilian perspective of resisting through dance and songwriting.
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Open in new tab BITCH is a solo dance which explores the concept of ‘cultural anthropophagy’ as an embodied process of incarnation. With the aim of offering an alternative way to approach solo practice through a studio-based creative work, this doctoral research develops a solo methodology, the solo-cannibal practice. For the purposes of this research, I look at solo dance as an independent movement-based category of performance practice that, although usually performed by a single artist, is created from, and thrives on, collaboration. A solocannibal method involves two intertwined paths: first, the development of procedures which aim to animate anthropophagy in my body; and second, a devouring process in which I take over the other artist. On looking at the solo practice as a means to activate relationship in which the soloist draws on, is influenced by, and collaborates with other artists, queer solo artist Nando Messias acted as a creative collaborator in the present research. Anthropophagic collaboration is, thus, a form of appropriation that happens in the body via the metaphorical act of devouring the other. My proposal develops anthropophagy as a political form of resistance and queer decolonising strategy, drawing from the concept of anthropophagy as coined by Oswald de Andrade in 1928, as well as later manoeuvres, particularly the ones proposed by Clark, Rolnik, Viveiros de Castro, and Mombaça
Written and directed by Alexandra Dias, Performed by Maria Falkembach
UFPel , Brazil
Alexandra Dias: I am a Dance artist and Professor at UFPEL in Brazil, with a dedicated focus on decolonizing narratives through both my artistic and academic pursuits. My educational background includes a PhD in Dance from the University of Roehampton in the UK, an MA in Performing Arts, and a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from UFRGS in Brazil. Additionally, I expanded my perspective through study and work at the International People’s College in Denmark. At UFPEL, I teach a range of subjects including dance composition, contemporary dance, somatics, research methodologies for the arts, and Anthropophagic Studies. My research centers on crafting anticolonial bodies and dances, exploring the intersection of anthropophagy, the cosmovision of Indigenous Brazilian Tupi People, and queer theory to reclaim narratives and identities. As the director of OUTRO Dances dance co., I delve into the concept of the anthropophagic-body in my artistic endeavors. I am grateful for the recognition of my work, having received commissions from national Government Cultural Agencies and being honored twice with the prestigious Klauss Vianna National Prize for Dance.
Maria Fonseca Falkembach is a performing artist and professor of the Dance Course – Bachelor’s Degree and Postgraduate Course in Arts – Lato Sensu, at UFPel. PhD in Education from UFRGS, with a sandwich doctorate from Exeter University, and a master’s degree in Theatre from UDESC. She is part of the CNPq research groups: GETEPE Study Group in Education, Theatre and Performance (UFRGS) and OMEGA Observatory of Memory, Education, Gesture and Art (UFPel). She has been coordinator of the Tatá Extension and Research Project – Núcleo de Dança-Teatro, since 2009, in which she works as director, choreographer and researcher. She is the author of books and articles in the area of performing arts and education.
