Un|Controlled Gestures – 4th Edition
Un|Controlled Gestures – 4th Edition is an initiative of the Goethe-Institutes in North Africa and the Middle East, in cooperation with HAU Hebbel am Ufer and Hellerau – Europäisches Zentrum der Künste. The program is curated by Nedjma Hadj Benchelabi and supported by a mentoring team including Ali Chahrour, Youssra El Hawary, and Annegret Schalke.
I was selected as one of seven choreographers to develop my own solo work as part of this residency. During the first phase, which took place over three weeks in Cairo, the choreographers worked on refining their performances while also building a shared sense of connection as a group.
The curatorial theme of this edition, “Trembling,” explored how bodies find new pathways in an unstable world. Throughout the residency, we focused on research, experimentation, and nurturing our projects through exchange, discussion, and mentorship. The program also coincided with several festivals, allowing us to attend performances by artists from across Arabic-speaking countries and to connect with curators and fellow choreographers.
The residency concluded with a first public showing of each choreographer’s work in progress. The project continues with a second phase: a three-week residency in Germany, which will end with a work-in-progress performance at HAU Hebbel am Ufer.
