Tanztriennale 2026: Chiara Bersani - "Michel - The Animals I am"

In the organizer's words:

Performance as part of the Tanztriennale Hamburg, June 14 - 21, 2026

German premiere
"Michel - The Animals I am" originated from a solo by Chiara Bersani from 2021, which she performed herself. In it, the artist, who lives with brittle bone disease, explored and adapted the codes of classical ballet for a divergent body. In 2022, she passed the solo on to another performer who has the same genetic condition. In 2025, the work evolved into a choral version: three performers with disabilities bring "Michel - The Animals I Am" to life. They question whether artists with physical disabilities are isolated exceptions.

Chiara Bersani was inspired for this work by the late jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani, who lived with the same genetic condition and was celebrated as a 'genius'. By creating space for different bodies, new forms of expression and modes of performance, her piece dissolves the notion of uniqueness and politically challenges the paradigms of dance and performance art.

Language(s): Without language / No language skills required
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, early boarding, beanbags available, with hearing amplification via induction loop, powerful images, poetic audio description in German or English (incl. tactile guidance), pick-up and escort service on request
Info: Recommended from 15 years. Touch tour one hour before the performance begins.

Price information:

Regular 28,- to 40,- EUR / Reduced 16,- to 20,- EUR