This week we want to highlight an awesome network that Spinn has the privilege of being part of, by the name of Universell Scenkonst. This network is an initiative for spreading knowledge about accessibility in the performing arts. It’s a regionally based mix of institutions, free groups, county/municipality and other initiatives in the world of performing arts.

We had a talk with Malin Aghed from the Gothenburg Opera House, one of the driving forces inside the network:

“I don’t think any of us knew exactly how amazing this would feel. We were a group that felt a need to highlight accessibility within the performing arts, by the simple reason that we believe that art is made better if everyone can be part of it. It’s easy, when speaking of accessibility issues, to get stuck in a kind of “pity” swamp. This is not what we’re doing here. We want to emphasize that the quality of the art itself will actually benefit from being created and shared by more people.”

The name Universell Scenkonst (Universal Performing Arts) is inspired by the concept universal design. Which means that everything from products, environments and services should, as far as possible, be accessible to everyone, without the need for special adaptions. The goal of this network is the creation of performing arts that everyone can experience. This means creating new performances and activities, but also adjusting existing performances to make them more accessible.

“The way I see it, there are currently only two groups in our society that doesn’t really have any platform to express themselves; children, and those with functional variations – people who can’t speak in the radio, write letters to editors, or for that matter even know that’s something they would want to do. We all need to help create a platform for these people.”

Other participants in the network are Regionteater Väst, Dansakademin, Förvaltningen för kulturutveckling, Danskompaniet Spinn, Kulturskolan Göteborg, the performing arts collectives Språng and Konstra, and the performing arts cooperative Big Wind.

“Within this network we want to use a friendly tone. Friendly, but decisive I should say. Many are afraid of even discussing these issues, in case they say the wrong thing. There are many landmines to step on in this field. We want to create a space where you can make mistakes, and then correct, evolve and learn, not be instantly judged. We have an open-door policy – everyone’s welcome to get in touch with us to and to take part of our knowledge and experience.”

Are you curious to learn more about Universell Scenkonst? Recently the network did a digital seminar at the cultural conference Folk & Kultur, where they talk more about what they do and the issues of accessibility in the performing arts. Below you can watch a short trailer or go straight to the complete 35-minute seminar!

Click here to see the trailer!

Click here to watch the full seminar!

On May 4, Spinn will perform Hannah Felicia at Vara Konserthus! The evening will be shared with Klima Dance & Sumie’s performance What if. Yes, this IS actually happening!!

Hannah Felicia is a performance about sisterhood, choreographed by Icelandic Lára Stefánsdóttir with music by Högni Egilsson and sound design by Þórarinn Guðnason. Dancers are Hannah Karlsson and Felicia Sparrström.

When: Tuesday May 4 at 19.00.
Where: Sparbanken Blackbox, Vara Konserthus.

Book your ticket here!

Hello Hannah, tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Hannah, obviously, and I live in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is also where I base most of my work. I live with an amazing family, and I have an equally amazing community of friends. In my free time I listen to a lot of audio books, most recently 1984 by George Orwell – historically a very interesting book to have read, but not a personal favorite. I also like to spend time with embroidery, which more often than not results in various ironic carpe diem-motives. I have a tendency o get stuck with games on my phone a little longer than what’s good for me, and on Saturdays I usually listen to Melodikrysset on P4, but so far I haven’t managed to win the much coveted first price award (which is a bath towel). I’m a stubborn person with a lot of patience. I’m calm, and usually don’t say more than what I think is necessary. And I’m funny!

What do you have cooking up in the near future?
There’s quite a lot of stuff happening with Spinn, with coming performances and workshops. I also dance in other projects and constellations with choreographers such as Olof Persson, Gun Lund and Mari Vittradotter. Hopefully we will be able to play some of the performances that were planned for last year sometime in the summer or next fall. I also run my own projects both as dancer and choreographer, for example in collaboration with Kolgruvan at Ringön, and a few other potential co-labs which haven’t been confirmed and so I can’t really reveal any more about at the moment!

What does dance mean to you?
In short – dance is everything to me. It’s my way of putting words on the things I can’t find words for, both as a creator and a spectator. It gives, and it takes, in a way that nothing else does. It devours me and disputes me. Movement and the art of dance make life important and large.

Have you seen any good movies or TV shows lately?
Apache is a really good series. It’s a moving story based on real events, so beautiful and so tragic at once, and really well made. And – a guilty pleasure: Gift vid första ögonkastet on SVT! I just think it’s so nice, and there’s a new season out now!

Finally – what do you like to eat on a Friday night?
It can vary a bit! But it needs to be something easy, since I’m usually pretty tired on Friday nights. But hit me up with a nice cheese and some condiments, a bag of chips and a glass of dry white wine, and I’m all set!

On March 8 (international women’s day!) Spinn’s dancers Hannah Karlsson and Felicia Sparrström will participate in a digital exhibition by artist Ida-Lovisa Rudolfsson at Fregatten House of Culture in Stenungsund! What happens when different kinds of art forms meet? How would things like choreography, poetry and music be affected by the art of Ida-Lovisa Rudolfsson? These are questions asked and investigated in the artist’s exhibition “Till det som går att laga”. Felicia Sparrström and Hannah Karlsson were filmed on location in February and now we will have a chance to experience it from the comfort of our homes!

Link to event!