We are pleased to welcome Benjamin Abras to our new AR–Tangiers residency hosted in collaboration with a network of local spaces and institutions including the Tangier Gnawa school of music and Atelier Kisseria. Abras will research local dance traditions working alongside the people of Tangiers, in line with ongoing research into movement and the body in social space.

Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Benjamin Abras is an Afro-Brazilian visual artist, dancer and performer whose work explores black culture and the restrictions placed upon the black body. Through his work Abras aims to sensitize people to human rights issues as they relate to the black Brazilian community through the strength of contemporary black art. In his work as an actor, dancer, poet, writer and performer Abras aims to connect African culture with contemporary dance, often by working alongside communities.

Abras gained pedagogical experience as a dance and theatre trainer for the ARENA da Cultura project in Minas Gerais. He has also taught Capoeira de Angola within the Cultural association Eu sou Angoleiro and introductory music courses as part of the Winter Festival of the Federal University of Minas Gerais.

Abras was under threat in Brazil, he was subject to harassment in the form of repeated calls and having his house broken into. This followed the murder of several of his friends and associates over a period of decades as part of the sustained persecution of black Brazilians by the authorities.

Further Links:

Interview with Benjamin Abras, Malta Festival Poznań 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JidLJcs-KTM

Interview with Benjamin Abras, 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHImNbjOAhU

Kalundu, 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pANwlHpZUoU&feature=youtu.be

Benjamin Abras is an AR-Resident at the AR-Saari Residence /Saastamoinen Foundation Residency. The programme is co-funded by the Kone Foundation and Saastamoinen Foundation, and coordinated by Perpetuum Mobile (PM) as part of the Artists at Risk (AR)-Network.

Benjamin Abras arrived in Helsinki as an Artists at Risk (AR) Resident hosted at AR-Safe Haven Helsinki. The AR-Network is coordinated by the AR-Secretariat and curated by Perpetuum Mobile (PM). This residency is funded by AR with the support of the City of Helsinki Department of Culture and Leisure. 

Benjamin Abras was an Artists at Risk (AR)-ENSH Resident, hosted in cooperation with Art Veda at AR-Tunis. The AR-Network is curated by Perpetuum Mobile (PM) and is coordinated by the AR-Secretariat, co-funded by Kone Foundation. AR-The European Network of Safe Havens (AR-ENSH) is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.

Previously, Abras was funded by the AR Covid-19 Emergency Fund and Protect Defenders.EU. He was also an Artists-at-Risk (AR) Resident at AR-Tangiers hosted by AR in cooperation with a local network including the Tangier Gnawa school of music and Atelier Kisseria.

Donate to the AR Covid-19 Emergency Fund!  https://www.gofundme.com/f/artistsatrisk

 

Background image courtesy: http://www.delfinafoundation.com/whats-on/performance-arawo-the-bodys-secret/