Oslo: Research, Exchange, and LABOUR at CODA
Our first visit to Norway brought us to Oslo for an incredible stretch of research, artistic exchange, and performances as part of CODA Oslo International Dance Festival.
We began with a six-day research residency at Kloden Teater, where we were joined by LABOUR dancers and collaborators Maïka Giasson, Jossua Satinée Collin, and Lou-Anne Rousseau. After months of creating and touring LABOUR, having the time and space to return to the studio together, without the pressure of preparing a performance, was a rare and valuable opportunity. We spent the week exploring new choreographic ideas, asking questions, experimenting, and opening up new directions for our work.
Pro + University Workshops
On October 7, we joined students at Kristiania University for a conference lab exploring the choreographic building principles behind LABOUR. Through video excerpts, discussion, and movement research, we worked together to build a version of LABOUR tailored to the students, adapting its structures and ideas to the particular group of artists in the room.
The following day, Jossua Satinée led a workshop for professional dancers as part of the PRODA x CODA series. Moving between individual exploration and collective improvisation, participants worked with texture, rhythm, and spatial awareness, exploring how listening and responding to one another can generate movement and shape a shared composition.
Graphics by Kristina Hilliard
LABOUR x CODA
And then, LABOUR took the stage for two performances at CODA on October 13 and 14. It was such a pleasure to share the work with Norwegian audiences and to be part of a festival bringing together artists from so many different places and practices.
A huge shout-out to Erin O'Loughlin for jumping into her very first LABOUR performances with us, and to Mateo Barrera for taking the reins on technical direction and adapting the work to a new stage with such skill, care, and panache.
We were also especially happy to share the festival with Spicey and the incredible Ebnflōh crew. There's something pretty exciting about seeing so many distinct voices from Québec's dance community making their mark internationally, each bringing their own artistic language and perspective to the conversation. Montreal represent ♡
A huge thank you to Birgit, Laura, and the entire CODA team for welcoming us with such generosity, and to everyone at Kloden Teater for making space for our research. We're also grateful to Yaëlle and Agence Résonances for helping make these international encounters possible.
