As part of my role with Barcelona International Dance Exchange I participated in a brief interview ahead of our B>Curious programme delivery at the Moving Body Festival in Varna, Bulgaria this month.
Below, you can read my answers in full:
Who is Zoë Gadd?
I am a creative practitioner who works predominantly in contemporary dance theatre. I live in a beautiful part of England called Carlisle – a city just north of some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the UK – The Lake District. I work as an Artistic Collaborator with BIDE, alongside my own project based company, Dance Ahead. I am curious, imaginative and like to explore multi-disciplinary approaches to theatre. I am interested in work that authentically allows people to express, connect and play together to build powerful imagery through theatrical form. I often create work in non-conventional settings and am intrigued by the choices we have as theatre makers to present audience with options, immerse them in worlds of wonder and creativity and provoke questions/discussion for both artists and audience alike.
Your own definition of movement?
Movement can be many things, from a simple raise of an eyebrow to a detailed exploration of space, time and dynamic with the body. It is a tool that allows us to interact with space and to communicate with others. Movement has the power to invoke humour, ease pain, test our limits, make us smile, release endorphins, share energy and so much more. Movement is a constant exploration for me and a language that has the power to transcend boundaries.
What makes you move?
So many things make me move! Fundamentally, at the moment a groovy beat reminds me to smile and just move for the hell of it! An open expanse of space invites me to open my body and ‘fly’ through space, lying on a studio floor reminds me to be grounded and inspires me to play with states of tension moving in and out of the floor. I like the feeling of tired muscles that tell me I’ve moved but the only way to move through that feeling is to get moving again. It’s a perpetual journey through life!
Where are we moving as a civilisation?
I’m worried about where we are moving as a civilisation. I fear that our freedom to move is being clipped. Our ability to communicate rationally and objectively mustn’t be threatened by fear of saying something wrong. We need to be careful not to self-censor so much that we become passive or lack curiosity and imagination as a civilisation. It’s equally vital to listen and observe to see where the waves are taking us and to ride the current that suits us best. As a person who welcomes and often instigates change in my life, I also recognise positive change in our civilisation – the speed of technology, travel and ‘connectivity’ is exciting, although brings with it dangers of moving away from what keeps us grounded as human beings. There are movements of recognition of our impact on the land, many are trying to right wrongs in relation to nature as we learn and evolve. However, greed and bombastic leadership are bubbling on the surface increasing suffering and it’s important we take note to make a positive change. I remain hopeful that people will actively shift and shape in response to political barriers that are currently rife across the globe. I hope this moves us back to nature, to connection, to decent humanity. I fear the storm may rise, before we find calm, but I trust in leading with kindness and humanity.