Ditch Dance

For my ancestors bog,
I am filled with a desire to float into you,
Becoming you

Ditch Dance explores the relationship between body and landscape, specifically focusing on the bogland in the forest of Torlarp in Sweden, a part of my heritage. A place with many stories that have sparked both mystery and curiosity. The performance incorporates wetland mythologies and explores the idea of sinking and descending into the bog. The bog, with its ability to transform the human body into a hybrid creature, becomes a metaphor for the fluidity and malleability of gender and identity. Through movement and a transformation ritual, the performer aims to challenge history writing and a historical notion of gender and instead highlight the ways in which the environment can shape and transform us into queer bodies. It is a ritual embracing forces and mysticism of nature; the untouched and unfiltered translated in a body and find movement patterns that awaken our senses, lust and wildness.

Ditch Dance is a solo performance by Ella-My Blomdahl in collaboration with the sound designer Dimitra Sofroniou. The piece has been developed in strong relation to sound and builds on electronic music mixed with folkloristic influences. 

(Length ca. 20min)

Performed In Gele Zaal at The Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp/ DeSingel as part of the graduation solos from the third years 2023. Convergence festival as part of CORPoREAL at the Royal Conservatoire. Presented at "Love At First Sight Festival" in theater Arenberg in collaboration with WpZimmer and Samuel Baidoo, Antwerpen BE

Dancer and Choreographer: Ella-My Blomdahl 

Composer and Sound designer: Dimitra Sofroniou 

Video: Ida Blomdahl and Ella-My Blomdahl

Editing and Adaptation: Ida Blomdahl and James Hall

Kulning: Elin Hallqvist

Light Design: Rik Suijs

Support: Samuel Baidoo, Nienke Reehorst and Raphael Malfliet

Footage: Karel Tuysclaever and Lore Loyens

Trailer: Vasilia Sofroniou