Our Bodies Remember

Our Bodies Remember is 'n dubbelprogram deur Jazzart Dance Theatre se kunstenaars-in-residensie vir 2026, Chesney Stanfield en Lihle Mfene. Deur twee afsonderlike werke, Unveil en Ancient Souls, word herinnering ondersoek as iets wat nie net in die verstand leef nie, maar ook in die liggaam, die gees en die ruimte tussen wie ons was en wie ons besig is om te word.

Chesney Stanfield se Unveil vra wat dit beteken om deur die lewe te beweeg sonder om werklik bewus te wees van jou eie wording. Met beelde van sluiers, spieëls en kettings ondersoek die werk traagheid, die skadukant van die self en selfherkenning. Terwyl sommige hul sluiers begin lig, bly ander bedek en word hulle gekonfronteer met die gerief van behorendheid en die moeilike, maar noodsaaklike daad van ontwaking.

In Ancient Souls verbeel die choreograaf Lihle Mfene 'n wêreld tussen lewe en dood, waar siele terugkeer, bevry van die beperkings van geslag en fisieke gestalte. Hierdie oeroue wesens beweeg deur die ruimte en herken hulself deur mekaar.

Saam vertel hierdie werke van transformasie, besinning en die onsigbare kragte wat ons vorm. Our Bodes Remember nooi gehore uit na 'n wêreld waar die liggaam herinneringe onthul.

Choreografie Chesney Stanfield, Emile Petersen and Lihle Mfene

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Our Bodies Remember is a double-bill by Jazzart Dance Theatre’s Chesney Stanfield, Emile Petersen and Lihle Mfene. Through two distinct works, Unveil and Ancient Souls, the production explores awakening, remembrance and the ongoing process of becoming.

Unveil turns inward, examining what it means to move through life in a state of inertia. As the dancers are confronted with a series of inward and outward revelations, they come face to face with their own essence. Each must decide whether to undertake the difficult task of becoming or remain beneath the veil.

Ancient Souls imagines a timeless realm between life and death, where souls gather after living countless human lives. Here, they encounter one another’s memories, emotions and truths as they reflect, heal, and begin to share fragments of their past lives. Through this journey, the souls move towards a deeper understanding of themselves, their purpose and the connection that binds them across lifetimes.

Together, the works consider the forces that awaken us to who we have been, who we are and who we may still become. Our Bodies Remember invites audiences into a world where memory is carried through the body, and transformation begins with recognition.

Choreography Chesney Stanfield, Emile Petersen and Lihle Mfene