The day after:

In my head bounces this text from Sara Ahmed (2004, “Introduction: Feel Your Way”, The Cultural Politics of Emotion, p.4) that goes like this:

‘’Emotions shape the very surfaces of bodies, which take shape through the repetition of actions over time, as well as through orientations towards and away from others. Indeed, attending to emotions might show us how all actions are reactions, in the sense that what we do is shaped by the contact we have with others.’’

Diagonally reversed,
up there, and down there,
around and about
and somewhere in between

Quite precise but also ungraspable, like molecules of dust

floating around in the air we breathe
Transcending, descending, extending,
Intentional in its porosity and vibration
Regardless of or rather with
and with company
but never in forced tempo

A statue not of what remains, but what it takes for it to become

I knew that you knew it was there
but it was about time we talked about it
And then talking about it
was rather sensing the tremendousness
of what it takes for us to be together

Because written words in the wall, and sounds and moving were not enough to explain

the way we move each other, carry each other, care for each other

But maybe in triangle
then we become the multiplicity
that doesn’t forget, that traces and races
the work that needs to be done
or the work that has not been spoken of

Well, stop,

Someone needs to state the unobvious

As well
As being there
For one another

Don't hesitate, it’s across, and around and about,

You can repeat again
Chewing away collective trauma,
an act of resistance(s)

Nefeli Oikonomou (Undine) is a dancer, choreographer, dance pedagogue, performance artist from Greece, based in Sweden. Her artistic work is characterised by a philosophical approach to dance, performance, and choreography, and a strive to find them in unusual places, contexts, and bodies. Nefeli graduated in Dance in Athens (MoC), Design in Siros (UoA), Master's degree in choreography at DOCH, and the interdisciplinary course Organizing Discourse at Konstfack University. She has produced various works, such as Weavers, Punks Not Dead, The Art of Laboring, Rhymes of Pleasure, CFT with performances in theaters both locally and internationally. She curated the Festival In an act of weaving, which began with dance performances, installations, video works, workshops, and choreographic interventions, continuing with Podcasts and a book publication. This is the 3rd festival she has curated (Pracrising Transitions Festival (2016) at Wip Konsthall, Rhymes minifestival (2017) at Weld), all of which have invited many artists with performances, open discussions, exhibitions, film screenings, and workshops. She is the initiator and co-creator, together with Sebastian Lingserius, of SAND Dansstudio, a newly established artistic platform that promotes innovative practices and alternative methods within the areas of dance, choreography, performing arts and related fields.

Two days after before falling asleep:

I am thinking a poem from Katerina Gogou (2013,’’ Now let's see what you will do’’, p.78.’’
Σπονδή’’). And it goes like that:

"At the Point
that as I approach
is moving away...
At the Point
that as it grows dark
It emerges...
At the Point
That I hold in my hand
And when I go to show you
It becomes a vapor of love
And dissipates...
In the spot that I call
- You - I -
I record all the murders
of trampled grass.
Let it bloom.” 1

After the performance:

At this instance (already gone):

What do we do for us to be able to do? Are we hiding within the dust of our own becomings? What is left
behind but is always there?

__________________________
1 poem in free translation, please refer to the original version for further detail

BY NEFELI OIKONOMOU