Shaymaa Shoukry, a choreographer and dance artist born and raised in Cairo, takes us on an inspiring journey through her life in dance. Despite Cairo’s lack of consistent and accessible dance classes, it became the foundation for Shoukry’s exploration and discovery of movement. She eagerly embraced every opportunity to express herself through dance, delving into various styles and always seeking to keep her body in motion. During the initial stages of her dance training, ballet played a pivotal role in shaping Shoukry’s perception of her body in relation to movement. However, her perspective underwent a profound shift when a devastating injury left her with a broken back. In her challenging path to recovery, Shoukry turned to Tai chi, which not only aided her physical healing but also instilled in her the importance of unlearning the Western classical approaches to movement that did not cater to her unique anatomical structure. This experience transformed not only her physicality but also her philosophical outlook on dance and life itself.
The philosophy of qigong, which seeks to amplify the life force energy within, resonated deeply with Shoukry. The transformation of her internal perspective played an integral role in the transition of her artistic process. She employs the examples of suits, tables, and chairs to illustrate how the social constructs imposed on the human body actually misalign the center of our bodies, disrupting the natural balance that our bodies inherently possess. She profoundly questions, “Why do we uproot our centers like this?” drawing attention to what she playfully refers to as a “glitch” in our society.
Throughout her extensive professional dance career, which began in 2009, Shoukry’s work that has been presented on stages all around the world, continues to reflect this shift in mindset. Her previous works, characterized by high energy and physicality, gradually transitioned towards exploring the softer yet powerful end of the polarity. This newly discovered energy from within allowed Shoukry to embrace the movements from her own culture that she once hesitated to embrace due to the social stigmas surrounding female sexuality. Shoukry found solace in her cultural roots, ultimately realizing that her identity as a dancer was deeply intertwined with her heritage.
Her artistic journey, aligned with her life perspective, has led her to her latest exploration of the internal realm of feminine energy—the powerhouse of life, the womb. Through her captivating piece titled Womb, Shoukry shines a spotlight on the concealed facets of femininity, questioning societal norms such as circumcision and the persistent societal expectations of virginity. Continued to be inspired by the powerful internal energy guided by the philosophy of qigong, Shoukry celebrates female sexuality in a manner that defies the social stigmas attached to the female body and its sensuality. Urging us to redirect our focus inward, she unveils the innate power of the female body—the ability to nurture, nourish, and bring forth life itself. After all, every single person on this planet owes their existence to the sacred space of the womb.
Womb was conceived through an artistic collaboration with music composer Ahmed Saleh, whose percussive foundations draw inspiration from the beats of various ethnic tribes and the rhythm of the heartbeat, adding another layer of depth to the piece. The harmonious blend of movement and music creates a sonic container that enhances the emotional and sensory experience for the audience of Womb. Saleh has been a long-time collaborator of Shoukry’s. After working with various musicians since her early days as a dance maker, Shoukry found resonance in Saleh’s work, and he has since, accompanied her on her artistic journey for many years. Shoukry affectionally calls Saleh the Maestro, saying that he has “a beautiful way to contain” her ideas that is not invasive and deeply supportive. Their partnership exemplifies the beauty of artistic synergy, where ideas harmoniously merge to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Through their collaboration, they amplify the emotional and sensory experience for the audience, forging a profound connection that transcends boundaries. Their collaboration serves as a testament to the power of synergy, as two artistic forces come together to create something truly extraordinary.
Shoukry’s artistic journey finds profound resonance with her collaboration with Dancing on the Edge (DOTE), a partnership that commenced in 2009 that has supported her artistic growth and provided a platform for artists from regions like hers, which are often overlooked. Looking back, she recognizes the remarkable parallels between key moments in her artistic growth and the visionary spirit of DOTE as it challenges the traditional mode of festivals by emphasizing on a year of listening. Shoukry appreciates how DOTE has “laid seeds for a continuation” of her artistic development and values the opportunity to encounter and exchange ideas through an ongoing relationship.
In this year of listening for DOTE, Shoukry and Saleh turn Womb into an open space to facilitate connection through a process of ‘tuning in’. Shoukry rejects labelling her work as feminist or decolonial, believing that theory serves as a reference point while practice enables us to transcend beyond confined boundaries. Despite the necessity for categorization, she underscores connection as a medium for meaningful dialogue. She argues that true connection necessitates listening—to our bodies, emptying ourselves to welcome others, and cultivating honesty and authenticity. Shoukry’s emphasis on the power of listening reverberates throughout her artistic practice. Drawing inspiration from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), she emphasizes the significance of both physically and metaphorically listening to the body. To genuinely listen, she explains, one must empty oneself and create space to include others, including the audience, in the conversation. This approach cultivates honesty and authenticity, forging genuine connections.
The universality of Shoukry’s work becomes apparent in her belief that context surpasses geographical boundaries. She asserts that regardless of our origins, we can all find ways to resonate and connect with each other, stating that “everything you have to say about your context is everywhere.” Therefore, both Shoukry and Saleh re-adapt Womb through a process-driven approach, inviting participants from all over the Netherlands to come together and connect with their bodies and others. Over the course of 10 days, Shoukry and Saleh will guide us into our bodies exploring our own identities, challenging external societal constraints, and celebrating the remarkable power within each of us. In a world that often demands conformity, ‘tuning in’ aims to lead us to dance to the rhythm of our own hearts, honour our bodies, and embrace the full spectrum of femininity that exists within all of us. This journey enables us to unlock our potential and embark on a path of self-discovery, where movement becomes a gateway to liberation and self-expression. As we engage with Shoukry’s work, we also tune in to ourselves, serving as a reminder of the importance of embracing our core, celebrating our uniqueness, and fostering genuine connections that bridge the gaps between us.
Tuning In is initiated and produced by Dancing on the Edge in collaboration with choreographer, Shaymaa Shoukry and music/composer, Ahmed Saleh and is inspired by Shaymaa Shoukry’s choreography, Womb
We invite you to join in this collaborative, process-lead open-participation movement and sound project that will turn into a collective performance in a public space on the
17th of June 2023 at Krugerplein, Amsterdam.
Workshops will take place from 7 June to 16 June, 2023 in various locations.
All bodies and abilities are welcome.
No previous experience is necessary.
Workshops and performance are free.
Language no problem.
