When Worlds Collide: Arts and Academia

Ever wondered what research and its findings would look like if it was translated into movement?

About this event

Would removing the language barrier enable new audiences to engage with research? What would academics learn from artists and vice-versa?

As part of UNIfy 2021 Kala Sangam and the University of Bradford launched a project to give academics and artists the chance to meet and discuss research projects and explore working together over a 12-month period.

On Monday 28 March join us at Theatre in the Mill to hear why we wanted to explore the connection between art and academia and find out more about the two partnerships that formed.

Alex Croft, Creative Director of Kala Sangam will host the evening and said “it’s been fascinating to support Shambik, Mitul and Fiona, and Ben and Vince as they embarked on this collaborative journey. Each partnership has found ways to bring complex research to life through movement and I can’t wait to share the finished performance results and findings with an audience. Although Kala Sangam regularly supports the creation of new pieces of dance, this approach has been something totally new for us and I’m excited about the potential it’s revealed for artistic response to research going forwards.”

The evening will begin with an introduction to the project before hearing from archaeologist, Dr Ben Jennings and international dance artist Vince Virr about their experience of learning from each other and the aerial dance work this has inspired. This will be followed by an interactive and participatory performance from our second partnership:

Red Shoes and Resistance

Red shoes are the symbol used by women around the world to protest at state inaction in preventing and investigating the murder of women.

This interactive and participatory performance explores the story of three women - and of many women - confronting violence against women in Brazil.

This collaboration between Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Rhythmosaic Sengupta Dance Company and the University of Bradford, is inspired by the research into domestic violence and feminicide conducted by Professor Fiona Macaulay of the Department of Peace Studies and International Development.

The artistic interpretation of dancer Mitul Sengupta and choreographer Shambik Ghose engages and invites the audience to contribute their own stories and experiences of an issue that is so current in the UK and around the world.

The performance will take place between 6.30-7.30PM and a post show conversation will follow.