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Body Politics in Contemporary Dance
The body has always been a site of political expression, a canvas for resistance, and a medium through which power, identity, and agency are negotiated. In contemporary dance, the body is not merely an instrument of artistic expression but also a vehicle for challenging norms, interrogating power structures, and redefining societal boundaries. From disability aesthetics to gender fluidity, from decolonial movements to environmental activism, dance artists are increasingly using their practice to engage with urgent political and social questions.
This online conference, organised by iCoDaCo in collaboration with Europe Beyond Access, brings together dance artists, choreographers, researchers, and cultural practitioners to explore the theme of Body Politics in Contemporary Dance. The event examines how dance as an art form can disrupt, provoke, and reimagine the political dimensions of embodiment.
Through inspiring keynote presentations, artist talks, and interactive discussions, this conference explores the dynamic relationship between dance and political activism, with a particular focus on disability, race, gender, and class. It also highlights innovative artistic practices that challenge and redefine conventional representations of the body.
The event features guest artists from iCoDaCo and Europe Beyond Access, two initiatives that are at the forefront of supporting experimental, inclusive, and politically engaged dance practices in Europe. By centering the voices of artists who are pushing boundaries—both aesthetically and politically—this conference aims to inspire dialogue, foster solidarity, and provoke critical reflection on the future of dance as a tool for social change.
Why Body Politics?
The politicization of the body is not a new phenomenon, but in recent years, it has taken on new urgencies. The global rise of authoritarianism, the backlash against gender and queer rights, the climate crisis, and the ongoing struggles for racial and disability justice have all brought the body to the forefront of political discourse. Dance, as a visceral and immediate art form, is uniquely positioned to respond to these challenges—not only as a form of protest or resistance but also as a means of reimagining what bodies can do, how they can move, and who gets to occupy space.
This conference delves into the intricate relationship between dance and political activism, focusing on how contemporary dance artists engage with and respond to the political dimensions of the body. For artists in this field, the body is not merely a vehicle for artistic expression but is also deeply influenced by the political, economic, and cultural contexts in which they create and perform. The body becomes a site of negotiation, where questions of identity, power, and agency are constantly at play.
The event seeks to unpack these layered dynamics, exploring how dance can challenge conventional representations of the body and redefine its role in a world marked by growing polarisation. What does it mean to create work that is politically engaged in such a climate? How can dance disrupt normative narratives and reclaim the body as a space for resistance, advocacy, and transformation? These are the questions at the heart of the conference, as it examines the ways in which artists navigate the complexities of creating work that is both artistically bold and socially resonant.
By bringing together artists from iCoDaCo and Europe Beyond Access, this conference fosters critical dialogue on the potential of dance to interrogate power structures, amplify marginalized experiences, and inspire collective action toward a more inclusive and equitable cultural landscape.
About the organisers and partners
FACE – Fresh Arts Coalition Europe
FACE is a resource platform committed to the internationalisation of professional practices and innovative practice-based learning in the performing arts. It has been developing comprehensive workshops, mentoring programmes, mobility experiences and capacity-building programmes to empower artists and culture professionals, as well as cultural institutions and grassroots arts organisations.
iCoDaCo – International Contemporary Dance Collective
iCoDaCo is a Creative Europe-funded project that supports contemporary dance artists through collaborative research, professional development, and international exchange. The project focuses on fostering innovative, sustainable, and inclusive practices in contemporary dance, with a particular emphasis on cross-border collaboration and artistic experimentation.
EBA – Europe Beyond Access
Europe Beyond Access is a Creative Europe -funded initiative dedicated to supporting disabled artists to break the glass ceilings of the contemporary performing arts. The project provides residencies, commissions, and networking opportunities for disabled artists, while also advocating for systemic change in the cultural sector.
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