Empathic artwork about a care relationship

In 2021, choreographers Jija Sohn and Aleksandra Lemm, dramaturg Julia Reist and artistic collaborator Nica Roses embarked on a creative journey, together with visual artist Elmer Kouwenberg, who became paralysed after a car accident some 30 years ago. The foursome previously made a short documentary about their role as Kouwenberg’s carers, with whom they practise various physical exercises. With this performance, they continue their research into inclusivity.

With Landing on Feathers, a special ‘safe space‘ emerges. With humour and empathy, a conversation about the dancers’ care practices unfolds with Kouwenberg, who continues working on art during the performance. What does it mean to become the extension of somebody else’s body? How do we achieve tender interaction with ourselves and with each other in a society defined by individuality and competition? Together with the performers, the audience reflects about the opposition between being abled and being disabled, about the roles of the carer and the one being cared for. Landing on Feathers is an intelligent project about radical relationality.

Combine ‘Landing on Feathers’ on Saturday 1 July with ‘Le chant du psychophone’ by Antonia Baehr, ‘Cutting Mushrooms’ by Kidows Kim and ‘The Third Room’ by Christine De Smedt, Liza Baliasnaja & Theo Livesey.
Combine ‘Landing on Feathers’ on Sunday 2 July with ‘Le chant du psychophone’ by Antonia Baehr, ‘I, Too, Overflow’ by Ève Gabriel and ‘Cutting Mushrooms’ by Kidows Kim.

In the frame of Caring is Sharing, in collaboration with Schouwburg Kortrijk.
With the support of the ‘Ambassade van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden’ in Brussels