Biljana Tanurovska-Kjulavkovski: "We want to work here!"

On conditions of work, spaces and the "making-of" of dance institutions

"Deviated mutual influences of politics, policy and arts determine the institutional and non-institutional art paradigm in which dance and performance exist in the region of ex-Yugoslavia. The material conditions are very deprived, and not everyone can "afford" to be an art and culture professional since we (most of us in the region) still don’t have institutions, social protection or other material bases for work and payment of our labour. Solidifying our forces in the independent scene, we are trying to change the situation by diverse solidary tactics, platforms, and curatorial and artistic strategies that would oppose but also deconstruct and propose new social imaginaries as institutions and conditions of work. Those approaches involve advocacy, activist and self-organised actions, critical reflection, and action, thus creating educational, institutional models and spaces where we can think, produce, observe, perceive, and valorise art. I will speak about some examples in the region and North Macedonia, such as Kino Kultura, Nomad Dance Academy, Co-existing etc." – Biljana Tanurovska-Kjulavkovski