FRAGILE 2024:
Triple Bill: African Loop & Kenji Shinohe

Recommended from ± 12
Duration: 70 min (10 min BELOVED, 20 min TREE TREE, 25 min KEUR)

Place: Pina Bausch Zentrum under construction, Bundesallee 260, 42103 Wuppertal

Tickets:
regular 18 €
reduced 9 €
groups of young people / schools 6 €

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TREE TREE

Kenji Shinohe

This solo dance performance by Kenji Shinohe explores the theme of natural disasters in Japan, inspired by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent tsunami that devastated his hometown. Amidst the destruction, a single pine tree survived, symbolizing hope and resilience for the community. Though the tree itself is not extraordinary, its survival amidst the devastation highlights the profound significance of ordinary elements in our lives. TREE TREE reflects on the cyclical nature of life and death, emphasizing the value of seemingly mundane aspects of existence.

Kenji Shinohe, a Japanese choreographer and dancer based in Wuppertal, began dancing ballroom with his grandmother in early childhood. He studied dance philosophy and art history at a Japanese university, graduating with a Master's degree. In 2015, he received a scholarship for an international exchange program, studying at Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany. Since 2019, he has been working internationally as a freelance choreographer and dancer.

In his dance work, he focuses on harmonizing body movements with musical structures and exploring meta-theatrical techniques to expand the expressive possibilities of dance. His choreographic pieces have been showcased in theaters across more than 15 countries and 55 cities.

Credits:
Choreography & Performance: Kenji Shinohe

Kenji.Shinohe on Instagram

BELOVED «Oui ou Non»

Kezia Jonah Zafinoa

BELOVED «Oui ou Non» is a solo contemporary dance performance, choreographed and performed by Kezia Jonah. BELOVED «Oui ou Non» explores the profound role of women as the bedrock of humanity. Through love, women bring life to the world and instill values that shape humanity. Despite their essential role, women are still marginalized by some. To address this, the fight for recognition and respect must often be led by women themselves. Every woman deserves love and respect.

Zafinoa Hanitriniaina Kezia Jonah is a multidisciplinary artist from Madagascar. Pursuing dance since 2012, Kezia obtained her degree from École des Sables, an international school for traditional and contemporary dance in Senegal. Over the course of her career, she has trained with artists such as Nora Chipaumire, Alesandra Seutin, Patrick Acogny, and Jonathan Burrows. In 2022, she was awarded a scholarship for the danceWEB program at ImPulsTanz where she worked closely with mentor Wim Vandekeybus. Her collaborative projects include ndox with Senegalese musician Youssou Ndour, Air De Temps with Alesandra Seutin, and the Métiers d’Art fashion show with Chanel.

Her solo, BELOVED «Oui ou Non», premiered in Dakar and most recently toured to Burkina Faso. It was awarded the Solo Newcomer prize at the Solo Duo Festival in Cologne, Germany in 2024. Her notable achievements include the Prince Claus Seed Fund (2022), Experimental Laureate award from Ambony/Ambany (2020), and Sanskar Virtual Performance Festival nomination (2020). Kezia currently tours with Mouvoir Company under the direction of Stephanie Thiersch while continuing her work as a freelance performer and choreographer. She is the choreographer for KEUR, a danced tale co-produced with African Loop and École des Sables, mixing dance and climate conversation.

Credits:

• Choreography & Performance: Kezia Jonah
• Slam: Makua Joma
• Musicians: Jean Mermoz, Papisse Bouky ,Wielfried Ambroise
• Composers: Willy Razafimanjary , DJ Elephant
• Costume: Kezia Jonah

keziajonah.online

KEUR

Taman Mhoumadi

KEUR means "home" in Wolof. It symbolizes not only a physical home but also the cherished material associated to it. KEUR explores a heritage and traditions that have been handed down through generations and are being increasingly overshadowed by modernity. KEUR is a thread through which we dive into the complexities of our societies and aim to preserve the wisdom of our elders amidst the climate crisis.

This danced tale is a collaborative creation by young artists from Senegal, Madagascar, Gabon, the Comoros Islands, and France, all of whom have directly experienced the harsh realities of climate change. Driven by their shared sense of urgency and personal experiences, they have come together to create a narrative that educates and captivates.

KEUR transcends mere performance. It offers a profound reflection on African perspectives on climate solutions. Through evocative choreography and compelling storytelling, the production takes its audience on a transformative journey. Featuring dancers, a comedian, and a singer, it celebrates community resilience and the preservation of cultural heritage.

This project is a partnership between African Loop, an organization focused on the green economy and art production, and École des Sables, the esteemed Senegalese dance school founded by Germaine Acogny and Helmut Vogt.

African Loop – Green economy & Art production is a Senegal-based organization established in 2024. Its mission is to provide climate change training, support African climate entrepreneurs, and produce art that highlights and promotes sustainable solutions. The organization aims to reshape collective perceptions and make these solutions appealing and achievable. Their inaugural production, in collaboration with École des Sables, will be showcased at FRAGILE 2024. The goal is to spark discussions with audiences from Senegal and beyond, addressing barriers that prevent the use of existing climate solutions.

École des Sables, also known as the International Center for Traditional and Contemporary Dances of Africa, was founded by Germaine Acogny and Helmut Vogt. It is a professional school including theoretical and practical teaching, a research laboratory and a space for meetings and exchanges, conferences, with artistic residencies for dancers from Africa and all continents. Recognized throughout the world, it has become a global dance village, based on the richness of dances and cultures from all over Africa, a place where dancers from all over the world meet to create new dances with new energies.

Founder of African Loop and initiator of KEUR Taman Mhoumadi also known as Tamaa (meaning ‘Hope’ in Comorian), is a climate specialist and emerging artist from France and Comoros Islands, currently based in Dakar. She has been working on climate action for 5 years between Europe & Africa with projects related to policies, business transformation, civic engagements. She notably created a climate training program reaching 1500+ people in Senegal, and she is now a green economy speaker and trainer for organizations, as well as a singer and comedian. She won 2nd place in Brussels with her vision of mixing climate action and art production during the Diaspora pitch competition organized at Future Forum. In the show KEUR she also serves as a co-producer, author and singer.

• Credits:
• Choreography: Kezia Jonah
• Author: Taman Mhoumadi
• Performance: Marceline Diatta, Babacar Bayo, Thérèse Penda Sarr, Saliou Faye, Taman Mhoumadi
• Scenography: Ulrich Andry Dougandaga, Thiamass
• Production: African Loop, École des Sables
• Support: Centre Culturel Blaise Senghor

African.Loop on Instagram