In this video, dancer and choreographer Trajal Harrell reflects on his artistic trajectory and choreographic thinking in dialogue with Daniel Baumann. Harrell traces his path from early experiences in gymnastics and theatre to an interdisciplinary dance practice shaped by art history, postmodern theory, voguing culture, and Japanese Butoh. Central to the discussion is his interest in history as something lived and embodied, and in redefining dance as a space for vulnerability, weakness, and collective experience rather than virtuosity alone. The conversation concludes with reflections on the performance presented during Engadin Art Talks, emphasising audience engagement, friendship, and the ethics of attention, care, and presence in contemporary performance.
“I think what has become the hallmark of our way of dancing is that we dance from weakness, not from strength. We work with vulnerabilities and things we don’t yet have language for, giving space on stage to what doesn’t easily belong there.”
— Trajal Harrell
