14 September 24, 2/6 pm

Venue: KW, 4th floor

2 pm – FULLY BOOKED

6 pm – FULLY BOOKED

In her first solo performance, dancer and choreographer Sarah Aviaja Hammeken explores the complexity of her own cultural background in both Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and Denmark. Growing up outside of Greenland, the Inuit culture was always present for Hammeken when moving through the world. Her background brings with it a wealth of opportunity and while she embraces both cultures at different times, she is also sometimes left with the feeling of not belonging to either of them.

Often Hammeken’s contemporary dance performances poetically addresses the conflict of not being able to fully grasp your own languages, rituals, or traditions. Mirroring shifts in translation and self-perception, they ask when are you accepted into a culture and whose acceptance it is you are seeking. In particular, the language of Kalaallisut (Greenlandic) and the ongoing process of learning it is central to Hammeken’s ongoing development of SOIL, which is a bodily inquiry into communication, its power and ploys.

SOIL is Hammeken’s first performance in Germany. The new piece is commissioned by KW Institute for Contemporary Art and premiers during the Berlin Art Week 2024.

Sound design and dramaturgical assistance: Siri Paulsen
Collaborators: Nordatlantens Brygge

Sarah Aviaja Hammeken was born in Copenhagen, with a mix of Danish and Greenlandic roots. After graduating from The Ballet Academy in Stockholm in 2015, she became a part of Compagnia Zappalà Danza’s youth company, CZD2. Sarah Aviaja established herself as a professional dancer on the global stage, working with various international choreographers and companies. In 2019, she founded AVIAJA Dance, a platform where she explores and develops her choreographic practice. Her artistic journey is driven by a profound interest in how the physical body and dance intersect with society, often drawing inspiration from her Greenlandic heritage. In 2023, after spending several years abroad, she brought her latest creation, SILA, to life at The National Theatre of Greenland, followed by its Danish premiere at Dansekapellet, marking her return to the Danish art scene. Her journey earned her a spot in the ‘The Young Artistic Elite’ career program for 2024–2026, by the Danish Arts Foundation. Additionally, she was selected for Emerging Artists & Producers Program at CPH Stage 2023/2024.

The exhibition at KW is supported by the New Carlsberg Foundation.

The exhibition and publication are produced in collaboration with John Hansard Gallery, Southampton (UK).

As part of Berlin Art Week

Information on accessibility

Venue:
The event will take place on the 4th floor of KW. An elevator is available for visitors with limited mobility with the assistance of KW staff on site. Please contact us in advance at reservation@kw-berlin.de so that we can facilitate access.

Times:
Entrance starts at 1:45 und 5:45 pm.
If necessary, we can offer you an earlier entrance from 1:30 und 5:30 pm so that you can familiarize yourself with the surroundings and choose your seat. Please register for this via reservation@kw-berlin.de
The event might start with a delay.
Late entrance is possible.
The event is held without breaks.
The duration of the event is approx. 40 minutes.

Seating:
Beanbags are provided.
Chairs with backrests are available on request. If you require seating, please contact our staff on site.

Sensory stimuli:
The event has a medium volume.
The event space is darkened.
The event space is warm.
The event is immersive.
The event does not include any stroboscopic lighting.
The event takes place in a spacious room.

Language:
The event will be held without spoken language.

Aids / accompanying persons:
Assistance dogs can be brought along to the event.
There is free admission for assisting persons.

Contact persons:
If you have any questions on-site or need support, please approach the entrance staff.