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Scene on Radio

Bonus: Michael Kliën and the Body Politic

Jan 22, 2025
Michael Kliën, an Austrian-born dance professor and leading social choreographer at Duke University, explores profound societal change through movement. He discusses innovative projects like 'Parliament,' which emphasizes non-verbal communication to foster connection. Kliën highlights the transformative power of movement for personal identity and communal expression, advocating for inclusivity, especially among diverse groups. He also reflects on the role of art in activism and challenges listeners to embrace the absurd as a means to inspire societal transformation.
34:10

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Quick takeaways

  • Michael Kliën emphasizes the importance of non-verbal communication through movement to foster deeper human connections and understanding.
  • Kliën's approach critiques traditional art and advocates for inclusive experiences that challenge societal norms, promoting cultural and ethical shifts for social change.

Deep dives

Embodied Change Through Social Choreography

Michael Kleon emphasizes the significance of physical embodiment as a foundation for transformative change in society. His work as a social choreographer seeks to understand and enhance human relationships through movement and shared experiences. By focusing on the body, he challenges the conventional notion that only select individuals are dancers, asserting that everyone has the capacity to move and communicate without language. This approach also encourages participants to explore their socialization and engage with others in meaningful ways, fostering a deeper connection to their own feelings and those of others.

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