Meny
The interdisciplinary research project Crossing Motion is continuing at full speed. Researcher Annika Notér Hooshidar from Stockholm University of the Arts was there to yet again document the process. However, let us look back and remind ourselves about the project and the participants. During the week, we had the honor of interviewing two of the dancers from WORK, Karin Delén and Destiny af Kléen. They have both danced together for many years and have been involved in many different projects and performances.
Who are you?
– I am a little bit of this and that. At the time being, I’m mostly focusing on dancing and managing projects. Project management is what I primarily do, followed by dance the remaining time. I attended a course at ShareMusic in 2012 and since 2019 I have been a tutor, Karin says.
– I am a freelancing choreographer and dancer. I also run a production place and stage in Gävleborg, called DansPlats Skog. I have been part of ShareMusic since the start. Karin and I met in 2013, and we started working together in 2014, Destiny adds.
Their strong relationship, defined by a beautiful friendship and professionalism, does not go unnoticed. Karin tells us that they have been through a lot together, which has strengthened their bond.
– I mean, we have been working together for such a long time. We know each other so well, to the point where we don’t have to talk. I have also come to understand that we work on a very high level. We are skilled, Destiny says with a joyful laugh.
Tell us about Crossing Motion!
– It is a research project, where we previously have worked together with musicians from the Sinfonietta of Västerås. It is a three-year project. Thus far, we have had three #ShareMusicLabs. We have improvised together with the musicians while discussing who leads the improvisation. Is it the musicians or the dancers? It is a constant debate on how we can lead and co-create together. It has undeniably been a lot to take in. While having worked everyone together, simultaneously, we have also worked in duos consisting of a dancer and a musician. It has been very exciting. I collaborated with a drummer, Karin Délen says.
Karin accentuates the central aspect of the project, the transfer and relocation of power between the participants. Crossing Motion addresses just that. They explore how hierarchies of power act, while also looking at how this said power can be relocated interchangeably in co-creative and inclusive processes. This time, the dancers got to explore this together with choreographer Helena Franzén, who has nearly 30 years of experience within the dance field.
During the lab, the dancers got to investigate what it meant to follow your impulses, where the senses were to guide the expressions. Just like Karin puts it, the very nature of improvisation is based on our own preconditions. One part of co-creative processes focuses on just that, to integrate one’s preconditions in harmony with others. To listen, consider and adjust.
The room was filled with deep and joyful conversations. While the dancers and Helena were in the process of getting to know each other, they also continuously discussed how everyone experienced the process. What is on our minds? What do we feel?
– Karin and I normally don’t talk. We just solve it. It’s a bit different with Helena now in the beginning, considering she is new. That means I have to talk to Karin and say “How does this feel? Do you want us to take a break?”
Destiny af Kleén, dancer, Work
A cornerstone of ShareMusic’s projects is co-creation, which became very clear when the dancers resorted to choreographic elements. How can we choreograph a dance where everyone has different preconditions? Many times, this demanded for some time to reflect and adjust in order to get it right.
– It is just that I need more time. I need to find my way of doing things. We talked about how most people feel the rhythm in their feet. That means I must find another way. I then choreograph the material with my arms. I do most things with my right arm.
Karin Delén, dancer, Work.
A recurring theme throughout the week was to “start with something tiny and let it live out”. Helena used an interesting parable – think of a short tailbone that slowly grows into a tail.
The silence in the room spoke for itself. The ownership was constantly transferred between the dancers and the power was distributed across the room. Questions regarding inclusion and power put its stamp on many of the conversations. How can we relocate the power without losing the dancers’ unity?
– I begin with something and then we assume it together. It is a lovely feeling. Then, ownership becomes a matter of irrelevance. It is about establishing a mutual language and fellowship, by sharing.
Helena Franzén, choreographer
As Helena states, having a mutual language is an important part of the inclusion work. How we grasp and transfer power lays the foundation for a cohesive process. A vivid example of that was when Karin moved across the floor while the others formed their movements thereafter. The ownership was ever-changing, which became evident during the last day of the #ShareMusicLab, when the dancers presented what they had been doing during the week. The movements were incessant. Every rhythm and vibration were rubbed off and created a harmony of movements.
Even though WORK have been active for many years, no one could fail to see that the week had been instructive for everyone. New meetings and conditions paved way for new exciting thoughts and ideas.
After a long time of challenges and cancelled arrangements, due to the Covid pandemic, the dancers were incredibly happy to be able to dance together physically. We are undoubtedly very excited to see what the future holds for this group!
– I've been dancing for so many years. But I do have my body that sets its limitations. I can't do everything. That has become evident during this lab as we work more with choreography than improvisation that has your individual ability as a starting point. It's really interesting!
Karin Delén
Text and all photos by Alexander Lärkmo
At the beginning of June 2021, another #ShareMusicLab took place, as part of the three-year research project Crossing Motion. Three dancers from the WORK-ensemble, together with choreographer Helena Franzén, explored bodily expressions in relation to both transfer of power and ownership. While the room was filled with a resounding silence, their bodies moved across the floor with a striking affinity. The ability to focus inwards, while at the same time acknowledge what’s around, illustrated the very essence of dancing. To co-create. Previously, the dancers have worked interdisciplinary together with musicians, but this time they got to try something new. With a new choreographer, and without musicians, the dance was in focus.
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