Pioneer to lead Lab for early years artists in Scotland

25 October 2018

We’re delighted that Dalija Acin Thelander, an award-winning Swedish artist of Serbian origin and pioneer of installation-based performances for babies, will visit Scotland next year to lead a five-day laboratory for experienced and emerging early years artists from across disciplines.

Dalija has been a pioneer of installation-based performances for babies since premiering The Book of Wandering in Belgrade in 2008. Her work has been presented in festivals and venues across the world.

As a choreographer, theatre maker and cultural worker, Dalija is driven by her belief that children are equal to adults and entitled to experience arts in their earliest years. Her multi-sensory work offers space to be immersed in sensory and narrative experiences, providing a positive and shared experience for both babies and adults.

This five-day lab has been organised through Playspace, Starcatchers’ artist development programme. It offers a unique opportunity to meet Dalija and learn first-hand about her practice in making work for babies, with time and space to explore this learning in a practical context. Participants can expect to work on their own ideas and develop concepts relating to work for babies in response to Dalija’s approach.

Information

Time & Date: Monday 11th– Friday 15thMarch 2019, 10am – 5pm

Venue: Summerhall

There is no charge for successful applicants to participate in this lab.

Who should apply? 

This laboratory is suitable for artists from across disciplines based in Scotland. It is open to both experienced and early-career artists and selection is through an open call process.    

To Apply

To apply for a place on the Lab, please send an up to date CV and a letter of application, including:

  • What artform/s you work in
  • Experience (if any) of making work for babies
  • Why you would like to participate in the Lab
  • How you might apply Dajila’s approach to your own work
  • A brief outline of ideas that you might explore

Deadline for applications: 11thJanuary 2019

Email to: Jennifer.phillips@starcatchers.org.uk

Travel bursaries of up to £50 are available for participants travelling more than 40 miles. Please request a travel bursary form when booking.

If you have any access or support needs, we will discuss these with you if you are successful in your application.

About Dalija Acin Thelander

Dalija Acin Thelander is a Swedish artist of Serbian origin. She works within the performing arts field as a choreographer, theatre maker and cultural worker. She has been involved in intensive research and creation in the field of contemporary dance for babies and children since 2008, asserting the importance of the early encounters with art.

Her work aspires to contribute to the notion of choreography as expanded practice and focuses on audience’s agency, intersensoriality and emplacement. Her performances for the youngest audiences have successfully toured in Japan, Korea, China, India, Brazil and Europe. Her choreographed installation for babies Baby Space was co-produced in Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Japan, China, Singapore and Greenland.

In 2017 she created commissioned performance for babies for the Royal Opera House in Stockholm, Sweden. She shared the findings of her research and practice internationally throughout numerous of lectures and laboratories.

For more information about Dalija and her work please visit: https://www.dalijaacinthelander.com