In my practice I am interested in the intersection between structure and freedom. By breaking down the body into its layers of skin, flesh and bone we can build a foundational awareness of our bodies which allows for a growing sense of possibilities within our physicality. Structured movement exercises aim to build strength from the core into the edges, challenging and expanding our familiar limits.
This physical focus is paired with the activation and stimulation of all senses through imagery and listening to various sources of information in the space (from the movement of other dancers to the accompanying music and beyond).
The class builds up to a place where we can operate our bodies and minds between activation and surrender, control and letting go to both, empower and expand our realm of possibilities.
Some of which can be captured and explored in set movement material or communal improvisational ideas with the purpose of continuously inviting freedom of choice and an individual physical experience.
My practice draws inspiration from Sidra Bell’s methodology, Gaga, Dose of Pleasure by Alvin Collantes and my personal choreographic work among others.
Sebastian Abarbanell (they/he) is a dance artist, performer, teacher, and award-winning choreographer based in Berlin. As a queer artist who has the privilege of devoting their life to their artistic development and expression, they take on the responsibility of illuminating, processing and questioning socially and politically relevant issues and matters with their work. After graduating from Trinity Laban in London in 2015, they spent 4 years in New York City where they collaborated and performed with a variety of artists and companies including Sidra Bell Dance New York, Gallim Dance and BIRDHOUSE. Sebastian has presented their work at international festivals across Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico and received awards at Solo-Tanz-Theater Festival Stuttgart, contact.energy Tanztheater Festival Erfurt, and SoloDuo Festival in Cologne. With their debut full length solo production »HOME« (2021), Sebastian was selected as one of the Twenty23 artists of Aerowaves, a hub for dance discovery in Europe. Sebastian’s teaching credits include company classes for Sasha Waltz & Guests, Sidra Bell Dance New York, National Ballet Amsterdam, and Theater Pforzheim and in institutions such as NYU Tisch, Gibney Dance, Trinity Laban, Dock 11 and University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Currently Sebastian works as a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer in Berlin, they teach weekly classes at Tanzfabrik Berlin and are a member of Kianí Del Valle’s KDV Performance Group and Sasha Waltz & Guests.
www.sebastianabarbanell.com / Instagram
