, December 10, 2019
Who decides what “sound” is? Who would classify it as “music”? In May 2019, former IRC-Fellow meLê yamomo premiered his sound-performance Echoing Europe - Postcolonial Reverberations at Ballhaus Naunynstrasse in Berlin. The performance focuses on recording techniques during colonialism, specifically from 1890-1950 in Southeast Asia and the ways they are exhibited in today's museums as well as their inherent power dynamics. Shortly after the premiere, IRC-Research Associate Stefan Donath led an interview with meLê yamomo about his performance and research. read more
, October 25, 2017
For the academic year 2017/18, the International Research Center “Interweaving Performance Cultures” is focussing on questions related to religious and, in particular, spiritual matters. In the context of an opening talk for the academic year 17/18, IRC Senior Advisor Christel Weiler talked about the significance of "Spirituality and Performance" and engaged in a discussion with former IRC-Fellow Koffi Kôkô and the present IRC-Fellows and guests. For those, who could not be present, we share Christel Weiler's introductory notes on the subject here on Textures. read more
, July 10, 2017
In this interview, IRC-Fellow Balakrishnan Ananthakrishnan, professor in the department of theater arts, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad, speaks about his research interest and current research projects. Specialized in Indian performance studies B. Ananthakrishnan, whose career is marked by a lively mixtures of theater practice and theater studies, explains what role his biographical background played in the choice of his studies. read more
, December 18, 2016
In this interview, IRC-Fellow Jacqueline Shea Murphy, professor in the University of California, Riverside’s dance department, gives a very personal insight into the ways in which her life as a researcher has developed, has changed herself and intensified virulent research questions. Unfolding the complexity and range of her focus on “indigeneity,” Murphy concretely talks about how the impulses of Indigenous knowledge contribute to contemporary choreographic processes, modern dance practices, and alternative understandings of the world. read more
, November 2, 2016
In this interview, IRC-Fellow Navtej Johar, one of India’s leading dancers and choreographers, talks about his current research project “Naming Anxieties around Sacred/Erotic Dance”. He speaks about his training in Bharatanatyam, his research on Yoga and the history of Indian philosophy explaining how his work reflects questions of nationalism, body images, and the politics of dance in India today. read more
, August 8, 2016
IRC-Fellow Chetana Nagavajara is a music lover. During his fellowship in 2015 he not only closely followed the program of Musikfest Berlin, a renowned orchestra festival, where top international orchestras, instrumental and choral ensembles and the great symphony orchestras of the city of Berlin together present an ambitious festival program with a new thematic focus each year. Prof. Nagavajara also put into words his impressions, thoughts, and criticism of some of the concerts and now shares these reviews with us. A treasure chest of passionate, critical and questioning reflections. read more
, July 19, 2016
In this interview, IRC-Fellow Janez Janša, contemporary artist from Slovenia, speaks about his research project "Performing Name" following up his artistic project "I am Janez Janša" that he started in 2007 together with two other artists. He describes possible ways of approaching and reflecting on theater and explains in what way, to him, the social relevance is the most important aspect of an artwork. read more
, June 6, 2016
In her second post, dance artist and IRC-Fellow Johanna Devi reports from her first weeks at the Center and explains how a photo of a forrest can say it all. read more
, May 10, 2016
In this interview, IRC-fellow Richard Gough, Artistic Director of the Center for Performance Research (CPR), Professor of Performance Research and editor, speaks about his central working interest and research project, “Devouring Theater: After Taste”, on food in performances and food as performing art. He explains the importance of the concept of “interweaving” for his work and the impact of his fellowship on his research. read more
, March 16, 2016
In this interview, IRC-Fellow Nora Amin, a writer, performer, choreographer, theater director and educator from Egypt, discusses her reasons for creating "La Musica Independent Theatre Group." After the short overview of her theater experience, the interview focuses on her switch in interest from a more traditional theater to street theater and theater as a clear form of activism. In this context, she talks about her involvement with the first production of An Enemy of the People in Arabic language and her research project on her experience in producing a play during politically turbulent times. Her research focuses on the intersection between the culture of performance and the culture of protest. read more