LEON.DANCE (production: MARIAGE)

Open Call

Embodied Walking - Choreographic Research in Public Spaces

Are you an artist, organization, researcher, or creative thinker? Would you like to contribute to an innovative social dance research project that focuses on the body, movement, and inclusivity?

What is Embodied Walking?

Embodied Walking is a choreographic and social research project within the dance practice that places the body and movement at its core. Drawing on my expertise as a choreographer and dance facilitator specializing in inclusive and participatory dance, I explore how we relate to public spaces and how movement can transform our perception of those spaces and each other.

Through an innovative combination of choreography, poetry, and auditory guidance, this project aims to create an inviting and inclusive space where all bodies, regardless of background or experience, have a place. Together, we will investigate social and personal memories and how these, through movement, can enrich our interactions with public spaces. The process focuses on forging new connections, both within ourselves and with others, and will evolve through workshops, residencies, and public activations.

Research Objectives

Walking as Choreography: Exploring rhythm, pace, and interaction within public spaces.
Connection to Space: Investigating how different environments influence movement.
Collective Engagement: Developing walking scores that invite communities to move together.
Connection to the Body: Fostering sensory awareness through movement.

For Whom?

This research welcomes a wide range of partners and participants, including:

Residency Venues: Spaces that support artistic and social development.
Cultural and Dance Organizations: To host workshops, public presentations, and reach diverse communities.
Researchers and Academics: Interested in contributing to studies on social dance practice, movement, and inclusion.
Artists and Creators: Sound artists, poets, and visual artists who want to contribute to the auditory, textual, or visual aspects of the project.
Communities and Participants: Both dancers and non-dancers, regardless of experience, age, or ability, are welcome to actively contribute to the research process.

What Am I Looking For?

I am seeking partners and participants willing to engage with this research in various ways:

Artistic Residencies: Locations offering space for in-depth exploration and interaction with diverse groups.
Workshops and Activations: Organizations interested in hosting workshops where participants can explore space and movement.
Participants: Diverse communities eager to contribute to the social and physical experience of movement in public spaces.
Sound Artist: A creative partner to integrate sound and music into the choreography and spatial experience.

What Do I Offer?

A unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, social dance research project.
Public visibility through workshops, performances, and documentation of the creative process.
A safe, inclusive, and inviting space that centers artistic expression and connection.
Expertise in inclusive and participatory dance practices, emphasizing both individual and collective learning.

Interested?

Are you inspired by this project and want to participate or contribute?
Please get in touch via fannyvandesande@gmail.com.

Let's create new movements and connections together!

NL:

Embodied Walking - Choreografisch Onderzoek in Publieke Ruimtes

Ben jij een kunstenaar, organisatie, onderzoeker of creatieveling? Wil je bijdragen aan een innovatief sociaal dansonderzoek dat lichaam, beweging en inclusiviteit centraal stelt?

Wat is Embodied Walking?

Embodied Walking is een artistiek en sociaal onderzoek binnen de danspraktijk waarin beweging en zintuiglijke ervaringen worden verkend. Het project onderzoekt hoe ons lichaam door de ruimte beweegt en deze ervaart, en hoe deze bewegingen onze interactie met de publieke ruimte en de gemeenschap beïnvloeden.

Door choreografie en auditieve begeleiding te combineren, wil ik een inclusieve danspraktijk ontwikkelen die individuen uitnodigt om hun lichaam te verkennen en nieuwe verbindingen tussen mensen en hun omgeving mogelijk maakt. Het onderzoek richt zich op het ontdekken van sociale en persoonlijke herinneringen via beweging, en hoe deze ons begrip van inclusieve en collectieve ervaringen in sociale ruimtes kan verrijken. Het resultaat is een organisch proces met workshops, residenties en publieke activaties.

Onderzoeksdoelen

Wandelen als choreografie: Het verkennen van ritme, tempo en interactie binnen publieke ruimtes.

Verbondenheid met ruimte: Onderzoeken hoe verschillende omgevingen beweging beïnvloeden.

Collectieve betrokkenheid: Wandelpartituren ontwikkelen die gemeenschappen uitnodigen om samen te bewegen.

Verbondenheid met het lichaam: zintuiglijk bewustzijn bevorderen via beweging.

Voor Wie?

Dit onderzoek staat open voor een breed scala aan partners en deelnemers, waaronder:

Residentieplekken: Locaties die artistieke en sociale ontwikkeling ondersteunen.

Culturele en dansorganisaties: Voor het organiseren van workshops en publieke presentaties en het bereiken van diverse gemeenschappen.

Onderzoekers en academici: Die willen bijdragen aan onderzoek naar sociaal danspraktijk, beweging en inclusie.

Kunstenaars en makers: Geluidskunstenaars, dichters en visueel kunstenaars die willen bijdragen aan de auditieve, tekstuele of visuele componenten van het project.

Gemeenschappen en deelnemers: Zowel dansers als niet-dansers, ongeacht ervaring, leeftijd of beperking, zijn welkom om deel te nemen en actief bij te dragen aan het onderzoeksproces.

Wat Zoek Ik?

Ik zoek partners en deelnemers die zich op verschillende manieren aan dit onderzoek willen verbinden:

Artistieke Residenties: Locaties die ruimte bieden voor verdieping en interactie met diverse groepen.

Workshops en Activaties: Organisaties die workshops willen hosten waarin deelnemers ruimte en beweging verkennen.

Deelnemers: Diverse gemeenschappen die willen bijdragen aan de sociale en lichamelijke ervaring van beweging in publieke ruimtes.

Geluidskunstenaar: Een creatieve partner om geluid en muziek te integreren in de choreografie en ruimtelijke beleving.

Wat Bied Ik?

Een open ruimte voor samenwerking en artistieke groei binnen sociaal dansonderzoek.

De mogelijkheid om deel te nemen aan een project dat lichaam, beweging en sociale interactie verbindt.

Publieke zichtbaarheid via workshops, performances en documentatie van het onderzoeksproces.

Een veilige en inclusieve ruimte voor expressie, interactie en gedeelde ervaringen.

Interesse?

Wil je meer weten of een bijdrage leveren aan Embodied Walking?

Neem dan contact met me op via fannyvandesande@gmail.com.

Ik kijk ernaar uit om samen te werken en nieuwe paden te bewandelen!

"Reflecting on Public Space: The Power of Connection and Engagement"

"This project made me reflect on what I find valuable in public spaces: which elements are present or absent, and the impact this has. Through our exchange, we discovered each other's worlds and perceptions, which created a sense of connection. It heightened my awareness of our relationship with public spaces and made it clear that we can all actively contribute to these spaces simply by engaging with them."

"The collaboration with our friends at the SIBIKWA Art Centre was incredibly inspiring. The exchange gave me a deeper, more personal insight into the people of South Africa and Flanders. I realized that we have much in common, but there is also so much we can learn from each other."

"The personal stories about South Africa's colonial history held up a mirror to our own Belgian history and how it subtly continues to influence public spaces today. It made me think about how we both experience space – as safe or as our own – and how those experiences have been shaped."

"It was incredibly enriching to witness a slice of life from young people living a similar life, but in a completely different context. It gave me a new perspective on what we have in Belgium and how public spaces are organized elsewhere. At the same time, it inspired me to bring South African enthusiasm and spontaneous energy to the streets of Ghent."

"In 'You, Me and Democracy,' I learned more about public spaces and the political situation in South Africa through personal stories. The creative exchange reminded me of how powerful joy, presence, and resilience can be, especially in difficult political circumstances. This energy is essential for making small changes in how things 'are.'"

"I was reminded during this process that I always have a voice, a body, a space, and a space for action – even in situations that seem overwhelming. Ultimate freedom lies in imagination: democracy is a child who believes it can walk on clouds, jumping from one cloud to the next."

YOU, ME & DEMOCRACY

You, Me, and Democracy
An intercultural and participatory arts project fostering youth engagement in placemaking and societal transformation.

Project Overview:
Launched in January 2024, You, Me, and Democracy is a collaborative initiative between Flemish and South African youth artists, facilitated by the Delegation of the Embassy of Flanders in South Africa, Sibikwa Arts Centre, and choreographer Fanny Vandesande. The project engages young artists from both regions in exploring identity, belonging, and public space through artistic exchange. With online workshops, collaborative tasks, and cultural dialogue, the artists co-created a poem that serves as the basis for an interactive performance, advocating for inclusive, accessible public spaces.

The You, Me & Democracy project highlighted the transformative impact of cross-cultural youth exchange, bringing together young people from Flanders and South Africa to explore the concept of democracy through art. Through storytelling, participatory actions, and public engagement, the project fostered empathy and critical dialogue. Participants reimagined public spaces in relation to identity, belonging, and shared values, co-creating poetry and an augmented reality poster that sparked meaningful community discussions on participation and expression.

The exchange also facilitated a deeper understanding of both Flemish and South African cultures, providing new perspectives on social challenges such as inclusivity, community cohesion, and economic disparities. The project's creative approach successfully engaged communities on complex issues, breaking down barriers and creating accessible, emotive entry points for dialogue. This allowed diverse voices to connect, reflecting on democracy in a meaningful way.

Ultimately, You, Me & Democracy demonstrated that democracy thrives when diverse voices collaborate, empowering youth to envision more inclusive futures. It also deepened public appreciation for the role of art in driving social change and fostering unity.