KHARABA & GUESTS/Khadidiatou Bangoura - LIFE IS A JUNGLE

In the organizer's words:

"LIFE IS A JUNGLE" uses dance improvisation, live music and other sensory-related means to create a narrative world of emotions that can be experienced and witnessed by blind, visually impaired and sighted people without audio description. Through new experiential spaces, the focus is to be directed towards a holistic use of the senses, which is often neglected by prioritizing the sense of sight. In terms of content, there is an examination of how we as humans go through different stages of life. Through dance, the coping mechanisms that we use as humans in these different phases of life to deal with situations that feel overwhelming are examined and questioned.

"It's not all bad here. It's not always difficult. But it often is. But not all the time. And sometimes, we can hear the butterflies fluttering by. Then the scent of ripe mangoes carried in by the morning breeze is so strong that it wafts right into the house. The coolness of the rain on the skin after the storm brings peace to the soul and the warm sunlight awakens the desire for more - for more life. But when the thickest branches take over and leave scratches on our skin - how do we get out? The big lantern in the garden has to stay on, otherwise the stars will get lost."

Khadidiatou Bangoura is originally from Liberia and Guinea. She was born in France and grew up in Germany. After a BA in International Relations & Development Studies and an MA in African Studies in London, she completed her studies in contemporary dance at Danceworks Berlin in October 2017. She uses dance to analyze our relationships to each other, to ourselves and to our environment. In doing so, she discovers and creates new narratives that lead to (self-)reflection and is particularly interested in different perception(s) and ways of perceiving. Her choreographic works include 'The heart is a muscle (2016)', 'Adult-ish' (2017), 'Hey Stranger' (2017), 'fight, flight, freeze' (June 2020), 'Moving Structures' (2021/2022), 'FÜHL DIE WELT DURCH MEINE HAUT - Observations on everyday racism'(2021), 'MILES - IN MY FEELINGS SOLO' (2023) & 'LIFE IS A JUNGLE' (2024).

Artistic direction Khadidiatou Bangoura, Horacio Macuacua

Music Leonard Gaab, Carl-Noë Struck

Dance Joana Kern, Sabine Kuxdorf, Daniela Riebesam, Laura Schönlau

Assistance Kiki Sandoval Pickert

Costume Douakro Kante

Photos Horacio Macuacua

Supported by Diversity Fund NRW, Fonds Darstellende Künste