Research – Methodologies – Practice
Dance Archive in Exile serves as a platform for documenting and reflecting on the contemporary dance scene in Iran and the work of Iranian dancers both within the country and in the diaspora. Political, social, and cultural restrictions have led to the invisibility of dance in Iran, while artists in exile face security challenges, limited visibility, and experiences of Othering.
This project engages with dancers based in Iran and Europe, particularly in German-speaking countries, to explore the role of documentation and archiving. Through interviews, artists discuss their artistic practices, the challenges they face, and their perspectives on creating a dance archive.
The project examines how documentation is integrated into artistic work, the significance of archiving within the Iranian dance community, and the accessibility of preserved materials for future use.
This is not just a research project—it is a call to think with others, to listen, and to hold space for ephemeral legacies.
The research and initial development have been made possible through a research scholarship from the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Media Library for Dance and Theatre of the German Center of the International Theatre Institute (ITI).