Bodies of Silence and Resilience: Writing Marginality. (17th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zervou, Natalie
• Is Part Of: Conference proceedings. (2015)
• Page Start: 174
• Page End: 181
• Publication Date: 2015-09-17
• Subjects: Dance -- Congresses; Dance -- History and criticism -- Congresses; Dance criticism -- Congresses; 792.8
• DOI: 10.1017/cor.2015.27
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-1255

Abstract

Abstract : Since 2009, the financial crisis in Greece has brought about a need to revisit the past and challenge previous historical assumptions in order to understand the socio-political present more effectively. Dance, and performing arts in general, have reflected this urge by giving voice to marginalized events and perspectives in Greek history, and by challenging the dominant rhetoric of ancient Greek lineage and continuity that often overlooked the significance of ethnic minorities. As such, the focus has shifted away from a sense of unity toward a fragmented understanding of Greek identity that is re-envisioning history and documenting the present by taking into consideration under-represented communities, such as ethnic minorities and immigrants. Drawing on a series of collaborative video-dance projects by Despina Stamos and Jill Woodward ( passTRESpass and Bodies of Resilience ), which engage with the subject position of immigrants in Greece during the crisis, this paper examines the relationship between marginality and dominant national histories, as well as the role of dance in (re)writing these "margins" and rendering them visible. Especially at a time when extreme nationalism and racism are on the rise in Greece, can dance provide the subjects of discrimination with agency, and create a space for them to "speak" against racist violence? How are these immigrants' embodied histories in dialogue with the current rewriting of Greek identity and history?