With Sad Clown, Clara Saito continues her exploration of the language of feelings through the body. Here, she takes a closer look at the issue of mental health through the figure of the clown, whose lightness, frivolity and whimsy we expect, disregarding the person embodying him. But what happens when these buried feelings resurface? How do you reconcile your public persona with your inner self?  This performance addresses the problem of ambiguous feelings by replaying the codes of burlesque in a minor mode*.

 

* The minor mode is a way of being present in one's action in such a way as to free the human from it without disengaging it.

(original text in French, by Vincent Verlé, Open Space)


Impro Drag, public workshop
 

Impro Drag is a dynamic collective dance improvisation that invites transformation through clothing and makeup. Originating at Jacuzzi Studio, it has since flourished in various settings, including the Rietveld Academy, always under the guidance of Clara Saito.
Join us for a 1.5-hour session of Impro Drag, where you can explore your movement, engage in improvisational encounters, and experiment with clothing and makeup. This experience encourages you to embody questions about how drag, character play, and dressing influence our movement, connections with others, and perceptions of self. 

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Important! 
No prior dance experience is required; everyone who enters the space becomes part of the improvisation, dance, and performance—there's no option to simply sit and watch. Some clothing and makeup will be provided, but feel free to bring your own transformative items to create your unique character.

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Bio
 

Clara Saito is a performance and visual artist based in Amsterdam. In her recent works she transitions between different characters, such as Sad Clown, the drag king persona Kurt Dickriot, a rockstar in performance arts called Lady Dada and/or a dog called Diva, amongst others. In each presentation, the personalities and moods of Saito’s characters evolve as they are deeply connected to current events and the artists authentic experiences.

 

Their entangled stories were theorized and brought closer together in an essay called Dissociative Performance: Anarchic Bodies and the Politics of Improvisation. Clara’s work, in combination with her life experiences and mixture of identities, form the base for her reflections on anarchism, practices of freedom and improvisation.

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