Everything brings us back to the body

In his latest production, Ehsan Hemat explores what the human body can do with an 18-kilogram copper plate. Inspired by the poetry of Rumi and the Gaia theory, he experiments with reflection and echo. The result is a duet between the human and the non-human as equal partners.

The performance unfolds as a dialogue between the body and the core of the earth, using movement, sound and voice to explore both intimacy and resistance. Beneath the striking imagery lies a deeper message: a confrontation with a past of exploitation, ecological disruption and the universal right to breathe.

Hemat drew inspiration from Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, mystic and theologian whose work explores themes of love, spirituality and the interconnectedness of all beings. The Gaia theory is a scientific hypothesis that regards the earth as a self-regulating system of living organisms and their physical environment.

about Ehsan Hemat
Ehsan Hemat is an Iranian-Belgian choreographer. His dance career began in 2000 with Dance on Glasses by Amir Reza Koohestani. Since then, he has collaborated with a diverse range of artists from various disciplines, including William Forsythe, Felix van Groeningen, Goele van Dijk, Mokhallad Rasem and Hooman Sharifi. He has taught at dance academies and training programmes worldwide. His debut production I Put a Spell on You was awarded Best Choreography at the Tehran International Fadjr Theater Festival and received the Grand Prix at the Belgrade International Theater Festival.