The project was to systematically raise the question of the effects of colonialism in dance. On the basis of an institution-critical research of the Artistic Core Group, existing hegemonies, racisms and exclusions within the established production conditions in dance were to be investigated. Conceived in a sustainable way and beyond fashions, the goal was to develop concrete instructions for action that can set impulses for an ethically responsible globalization in dance in a dialogue at eye level.
In 2021, the project "Twists, Dance and Decoloniality" was regrettably cancelled. This decision was preceded by a very difficult process marked by incidents of structural racism and, on many levels, the lack of structural preconditions, awareness and knowledge. But also by significant disagreements and fundamental losses of trust among the voices that shaped Twists. As part of the Tanzfabrik Berlin team, I absolutely acknowledge my share of responsibility for the failure of this important and politically necessary project, and I myself am still picking apart and understanding what happened so as not to repeat the same mistakes in the future.
Recently, an important write-up and processing of the artists' work appeared in the form of an article on Twists: Dance & Decoloniality in the journal Oncurating.org