#Je Suis (In Progress)

About

Award winning choreographer and dancer, Aakash Odedra, has developed #JeSuis with an extraordinary group of Turkish dancers in Istanbul. It is inspired by a collective response to issues of conflict, media manipulation, displacement, refuge, instability (both politically and geographically) and identity. It explores the frustrations of life in a homeland that doesn't know the meaning of "home" anymore. A place where people keep struggling for a sense of peace; where freedoms and choices are becoming luxury and the main hope is to be safe.

When atrocities happen in Paris or Brussels, it trends, we saw #JeSuisCharlie and more. When it happens in Istanbul the world carries on as normal. What is the meaning of home when millions are on the move? #JeSuis (In Progress) is a 40 minute experiment in cutting edge contemporary dance, accompanied by a musical score composed by long-term collaborator Nicki Wells, with lighting design by Fabiana Piccioli.

The performance of #JeSuis (In Progress) will be followed by JOURNEYS – The Art of Displacement: Aakash Odedra Company and Journeys Festival International share the inspiration for their work, including artistic contributions from European partners, and invite an audience response and debate to issues of displacement and the meaning of "home".

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Co-production partners:

Journeys Festival International (ArtReach), UK
Curve Theatre (Leicester) UK
Contact Theatre (Manchester) UK
Art Center New York University Abu Dhabi
Paradise is Here, Switzerland
Commissioned by The Movement, a partnership between Birmingham Hippodrome, Sadler's Wells and The Lowry

Research and Development Supported by the British Council in Turkey and DanceXchange (UK)