´My language was - most of the time - very expressive in both Romanian and French. I remember I was overwhelmed by misunderstandings between languages as a kid and all I could really feel is singing the inside out. Ever since, I sang and created storytelling in different languages, playing within the process, decoding DNA most of the time - the transformation meanings widen the transmission of music.´
7th instalment premieres the audio-visual series of the project with an hour of exclusive set including variety of sonic forms: from techno to break-beats, vocals to political motives by Dance Divine. An audio-visual project by Diana Dobrescu, Dance Divine has their origins in music, visual arts, lunatic energy and for sure variety of forms of political activism such as ecofeminism and different deconstructive approaches towards patriarchy. Originally from Brussels and currently residing in Luxembourg, Dance Divine provides insights on the impact of Corona on the scenes such as closure of FORMATT Club as well as their own future plans.
NCOUNTERS: In which city did you grow up? How did you form your early musical aesthetics and how did they evolve?
Dance Divine: I was born in Brussels, back in 1992. Precocity in being bilingual had me at hello! Nonetheless, my language was - most of the time - very expressive in both Romanian and French. I remember I was overwhelmed by misunderstandings between languages as a kid and all I could really feel is singing the inside out. Ever since, I sang and created storytelling in different languages, playing within the process, decoding DNA most of the time - the transformation meanings widen the transmission of music. Today, I also materialize work with meta-languages, mainly astrology, in order to mold perspectives while deconstructing the ruins of the old- world we live in.
Coming back to Brussels, freshly done with high school, I was accurate enough to align with my will of making music and bringing people together. In 2017, I started the act Dance Divine with a band. Today, I grow my work on a triple-identity way of life : Dance Divine, Monica Kinolta and Cyborg Amazon.
NCOUNTERS, 2020
´I am organizing the closing night of an annual festival called L-Festival, in Brussels. The opportunity now is to deconstruct and decolonize the patriarchal realities we were forced to carry from birth until now together – to include these new realities in everything we generate, produce and, reflect on. And in order to make sense of the micro and the macro realities, I believe we need to talk about transmutation.´
How is your experience on your local scene? Do you see any effects of the political situation on the scenes of Brussels and Luxembourg?
I picture Brussels nightlife as a looping labyrinth and myself as a chameleon in it. For the past three years, I had the pleasure to play in various venues – bars, clubs, art galleries, parks, museums. There’s like a constant movement within the creative sectors which tend to not dissociate from their political stands. Some minorities are not well represented in the city or in given spaces to emphasize their existence, but I believe all communities in Brussels have their access to some spaces, handling their activities within chosen circumstances. Before the lockdown, the city was under vibrations of various spaces. Within a perimeter of 50qm in the city center, you could enjoy at least 2 dozen of different venues, such as Les Halles Saint-Géry, Beursschouwburg, Café Central, La Machine, Bonnefooi, FORMATT, C12, LaVallée, Cabaret Mademoiselle and many others. Most of these venues consider having inclusive happenings in general – but it’s mainly up to the organizers to handle their policy but well.
Currently, Luxembourg’s nightlife and art districts have the opportunity to grow more than before. Because of Covid19 – 2020 reality was also harsh here people have more to stand for and create against, I guess, and I believe that after this quarantine there’s a lot that can be done in this perspective and that we can all be part of it.
Like in the two past two years, I`m planning to travel only for work in order to not use my privilege against my belief which are rooted in ecofeminism.
What are the challenges/opportunities that you go through in your local scene? Can you point out some problems and things that you want to change?
Today, more than ever, Brussels art life is facing the biggest crisis it ever experienced. FORMATT Club, as a sad example, will be definitely close down this week. In these meta-times, everything has changed. We act even without any conviction of manifestation our plans because of the instability of the rules we are pushed through.
I am organizing the closing night of an annual festival called L-Festival, in Brussels, and had to push some solid will and plan, in order to bring trust in the future perspective of this two- weeks festival materializing in Nov/Dec 2020. The opportunity now is to deconstruct and decolonize the patriarchal realities we were forced to carry from birth until now together – to include these new realities in everything we generate, produce and, reflect on. I believe a deep transformation period has started. And in order to make sense of the micro and the macro realities, I believe we need to talk about transmutation.
NCOUNTERS, 2020
Do you see any (dis)advantages of your particular identity such as gender/sexual orientation/ethnicity/political view or so when you find space for your art?
When we think about « Identity » we generally think of nationality, gender, age, and all together boring and limiting parameters, no?
I try to discuss about sexuality and energetical coding when I mention identity. I’m now collaborating with people who are interested in the cycles of the moon and its limitless power of planet Earths future. The disadvantage of ecofeminist work and community is that our reality is so far not represented enough in the institutions. But we are constantly expanding the possibility of adapting to change restrictions into opportunities.
What is the source of inspiration for you? How do you locate your art and artistic perspective of yours?
I’m a transmedia worker who has been gravitating in music since 2017. Today, I enjoy making clothes, make-ups, accessories, scenography, music and videos to design my tripartite reality.
I believe unveiling the unknown with the body as a permanent tool is a concrete way to resist the system. It does imply courage and self-discovery on a daily basis.
Obviously, it hasn’t been the easiest path - but again, what is easy without working, sweating and feeling at your core that you earn body and the spirituality of your DNA.
What are your future plans?
So far, I’m focusing on livestreams, music productions, collaborations with inspiring
activists and art residencies with my three acts.
I’m looking forward to materializing the digital collabs in real life as well.
#thefutureisnonbinary
Video Edit: Nazli Deniz Akgun
Graphic Layout: Can Hatunoglu
NCOUNTERS, Berlin (2020)