- Open Format
To my ancestors. Trans* formations in space and time
Dan Dansen
27 June 2025 21:00–22:00
28 June 2025 21:00–22:00
„To My Ancestors. Trans-Formations in Time and Space“ is a solo-performance by Dan Dansen. The performance is searching ventures a quest for trans ancestry in Europe. It seems as if the history of trans people only begins with the age of Enlightenment and its associated pathologization. But how has trans life looked like before this time? „To My Ancestors“ is looking for answers to these questions. Therefore nonbinary character Kaya creates an invocation ritual for their trans ancestors.
The performance is looking from a nonbinary perspective for traces of people in history who could be read as trans. Queer plants, archival footage of trans history, and images of queer deities and spirits form a video installation that is projected on a nonbinary body.
The original performance took place in the installation of a queer botanical garden inside a gallery space. For the revival Dan Dansen recreates the performance site-sensitive for Lyucs Garden - this time the performance comes to the plants on-site instead.
„To My Ancestors“ is rewriting history. The performance casts a lineage of trans ancestry that has been largely ignored in previous historiography.
There will be a Q&A afterwards.
Funded by: Kulturförderung Dezentrale Kulturarbeit Neukölln
The performance is looking from a nonbinary perspective for traces of people in history who could be read as trans. Queer plants, archival footage of trans history, and images of queer deities and spirits form a video installation that is projected on a nonbinary body.
The original performance took place in the installation of a queer botanical garden inside a gallery space. For the revival Dan Dansen recreates the performance site-sensitive for Lyucs Garden - this time the performance comes to the plants on-site instead.
„To My Ancestors“ is rewriting history. The performance casts a lineage of trans ancestry that has been largely ignored in previous historiography.
There will be a Q&A afterwards.
Funded by: Kulturförderung Dezentrale Kulturarbeit Neukölln
Biography
Dan Dansen
Dan Dansen is fascinated by the question how to form a chosen family: how can we collectively shape relationships to other human beings and to non-human beings alike? They are a Berlin-based non-binary filmmaker, photographer and visual artist. They also love thinking outside of the box and are devoted to integrate joy as a political strategy.
To my ancestors. Trans* formations in space and time is Dans first solo performance. It premiered 2022 as an immersive installation at galerie futura in Berlin. Dan also just finished the film To My Ancestors, which adapts the subject for film.
To my ancestors. Trans* formations in space and time is Dans first solo performance. It premiered 2022 as an immersive installation at galerie futura in Berlin. Dan also just finished the film To My Ancestors, which adapts the subject for film.
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