Architecture of Violence

Description

A visceral collision of movement and story, Architecture of Violence confronts the tension between space and power through raw physicality and striking imagery. 

Commissioned by Scenkonst Sörmland for Jaberi Dance Theatre and now making its Canadian premiere after touring Sweden, the work traces intimate stories of hope, loss, and connection. Architecture of Violence reveals how people rebuild within and against structures of surveillance and control. Globally resonant and timely, it reveals shared struggles across cultures and geographies, inviting audiences into a threshold of reflection and reckoning.

Background

Architecture of Violence was brought to life through the generous support of partners Scenkonst Sörmland, TO Live, Fall for Dance North, DanceWorks, Dansalliansen and the New Society Institute. The work took shape across residencies at SITE in Stockholm, Lokomotivet in Eskilstuna, and Meridian Hall in Toronto — spaces that provided the time and conditions for deep research and collaboration.

Early exploration of the work’s themes was made possible through the Chalmers Arts Fellowship (2020) and the TO Live Exploration Fund (2022)

"A magnificent piece of dance performance"

—Staffan Jonsson, Head of the Arts Department, Eskilstuna, Sweden

Presented by DanceWorks.

Director – Roshanak Jaberi
Choreographer & Concept – Roshanak Jaberi
Choreographer & Creative Advisor – Karen Kaeja
Created with Dancers – Anna Borràs (Sweden), Mio Sakamoto, Mairéad Filgate
Composer & Sound Designer – Jukka Rintamäki (Sweden)
Lighting Designer – Arun Srinivasan 
Set Designer – Susanna Wiklund (Sweden)
Costume Designer – Katarina Wiklund (Sweden)
Production Manager – AJ Morra
Stage Manager – Tara Mohan
Writer (Narration Text) – Doris Rajan 
Narrator – Bren Eastcott 
Photographer & Videographer – Tanne Willow (Sweden)
Promotional Photo – Maryam Barari (Sweden)

Run time: 60 minutes (no intermission)
Audience advisory: this work deals with themes of violence

Thursday May 13, 2027 – 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Post-show reception.
Friday May 14, 2027 – 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday May 15, 2027 – 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Post-show Q&A

$50 – General Ticket (discounts for groups of 20+ $30 tickets)
$75 – Dance Lover (limited premium seating)
$35 – Arts Worker / Student / Senior

*Tickets will go on sale soon

 

We would like to acknowledge our presenter and producer Scenkonst Sörmland; our Canadian funders the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council; our Canadian supporters TO Live, New Society Institute, and Fall for Dance North; and our Swedish supporters , Lokomotivet and SITE.

A special thanks to Maria Weisby, who believed in Jaberi Dance Theatre’s vision and without whom this production would not be possible; Jörgen Lindvall for cultivating this partnership; Yvonne Granath for her unwavering dedication; and the wonderful Swedish staff and team including: Lighting and Tour Technician Albin Åkerman, Tour Manager Anna Hammar, Head of Wardrobe Johanna Lovén, Seamstress Bitte Palm, and Technical Director Balder Roug Lindberg. We are grateful for their excellence on this project. 

We also extend our gratitude to the many artists and supporters of this project, including: dance artist Hui-Han Hu who supported the work as our understudy; dance artist Yui Ugai for her contribution to the early exploration phase; choreographer Allen Kaeja for his partnering consultation; Sofia Yaregal for hosting our auditions in Sweden; architectural researcher Sanam Samanian who contributed to the research phase; Josephine Ridge and Ilter Ibrahimof for creating a platform for the production in Toronto; Doris Rajan for supporting the early development of the work; scholar and activist Eyal Weizman whose investigations and scholarly work have greatly inspired the themes of this production.

Commissioned and presented by Scenkonst Sörmland.

September 11, 2024 at 7 PM – The Lokomotivet (Eskilstuna, Sweden)
September 14, 2024 at 7 PM – Culturum (Nyköping, Sweden)
September 19, 2024 at 7 PM – Thomas Arena Theatre(Strängnäs, Sweden)
September 26, 2024 at 7 PM – The Lokomotivet (Eskilstuna, Sweden)

*September 11, 2024 – Pre-show talk at 6 PM The Knowledge Festival
*September 26 – Pre-show talk at 6 PM with radio journalist Lars Mogensen (Filosofiska Rummet)

Download Program (Sweden Tour)

Project Details

Presented by DanceWorks.

Director – Roshanak Jaberi
Choreographer & Concept – Roshanak Jaberi
Choreographer & Creative Advisor – Karen Kaeja
Created with Dancers – Anna Borràs (Sweden), Mio Sakamoto, Mairéad Filgate
Composer & Sound Designer – Jukka Rintamäki (Sweden)
Lighting Designer – Arun Srinivasan 
Set Designer – Susanna Wiklund (Sweden)
Costume Designer – Katarina Wiklund (Sweden)
Production Manager – AJ Morra
Stage Manager – Tara Mohan
Writer (Narration Text) – Doris Rajan 
Narrator – Bren Eastcott 
Photographer & Videographer – Tanne Willow (Sweden)
Promotional Photo – Maryam Barari (Sweden)

Run time: 60 minutes (no intermission)
Audience advisory: this work deals with themes of violence

Thursday May 13, 2027 – 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Post-show reception.
Friday May 14, 2027 – 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday May 15, 2027 – 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Post-show Q&A

$50 – General Ticket (discounts for groups of 20+ $30 tickets)
$75 – Dance Lover (limited premium seating)
$35 – Arts Worker / Student / Senior

*Tickets will go on sale soon

 

We would like to acknowledge our presenter and producer Scenkonst Sörmland; our Canadian funders the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council; our Canadian supporters TO Live, New Society Institute, and Fall for Dance North; and our Swedish supporters , Lokomotivet and SITE.

A special thanks to Maria Weisby, who believed in Jaberi Dance Theatre’s vision and without whom this production would not be possible; Jörgen Lindvall for cultivating this partnership; Yvonne Granath for her unwavering dedication; and the wonderful Swedish staff and team including: Lighting and Tour Technician Albin Åkerman, Tour Manager Anna Hammar, Head of Wardrobe Johanna Lovén, Seamstress Bitte Palm, and Technical Director Balder Roug Lindberg. We are grateful for their excellence on this project. 

We also extend our gratitude to the many artists and supporters of this project, including: dance artist Hui-Han Hu who supported the work as our understudy; dance artist Yui Ugai for her contribution to the early exploration phase; choreographer Allen Kaeja for his partnering consultation; Sofia Yaregal for hosting our auditions in Sweden; architectural researcher Sanam Samanian who contributed to the research phase; Josephine Ridge and Ilter Ibrahimof for creating a platform for the production in Toronto; Doris Rajan for supporting the early development of the work; scholar and activist Eyal Weizman whose investigations and scholarly work have greatly inspired the themes of this production.

Commissioned and presented by Scenkonst Sörmland.

September 11, 2024 at 7 PM – The Lokomotivet (Eskilstuna, Sweden)
September 14, 2024 at 7 PM – Culturum (Nyköping, Sweden)
September 19, 2024 at 7 PM – Thomas Arena Theatre(Strängnäs, Sweden)
September 26, 2024 at 7 PM – The Lokomotivet (Eskilstuna, Sweden)

*September 11, 2024 – Pre-show talk at 6 PM The Knowledge Festival
*September 26 – Pre-show talk at 6 PM with radio journalist Lars Mogensen (Filosofiska Rummet)

Download Program (Sweden Tour)