How can dance create a way to experience interspecies connections and co-existences?

In this workshop, one studies their own animality as well as relation to other animals through dance practice and corporeality. The workshop is based on artistic practices developed by Matilda Aaltonen and Veli Lehtovaara within Can animals be expressed? –research project (2020-2022). During the workshop, one focuses on senses, perception, and score-based movement tasks, as well as on coexistence and co-performing with other animals. Working will take place in a studio and outside. Movement tasks include some contact and touch-based work.

Matilda Aaltonen

Matilda Aaltonen is a Helsinki-based dancer and choreographer, who graduated with a Master of Dance Performance in spring 2020 from Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy. At the moment, Aaltonen’s work revolves around studying the relation between humans and other animals. She is part of the multidisciplinary collective Voiko? which studies the challenges of conceptualizing animals in science and arts. She also works on a research project, combining arts and science, called Speaking on behalf of the biospheric voiceless, led by philosopher Elisa Aaltola. Works of Aaltonen have been seen in the programming of Reality Research Center and Zodiak.

Veli Lehtovaara

Veli Lehtovaara is a choreographer and performer working internationally in the fields of dance and experimental theater. He has lived and worked in Brussels for the years 2008 to 2018. Works of Lehtovaara have been seen on central stages and festivals around Europe, North and South America. During the latest years, he has focused his work on the interfaces of choreography, ecological thinking, and diversity of the body. Lehtovaara teaches as well as conducts his artistic doctoral thesis at Helsinki Theater Academy.