As part of the Dublin Dance Festival | presented by Mufutau Yusuf
Emerging talent Mufutau Yusuf premieres his highly anticipated new work, Impasse, following the success of his first full-length work Òwe, which premiered in New York and Dublin in 2022.
An attempt to understand the politics of the Black body in a contemporary western society, Impasse interrogates notions of representation, misrepresentation, and the lack of representation.
In this powerful work, two performers confront the biased narratives etched onto Black bodies throughout history. These narratives, steeped in cultural imperialism, violence, exploitation, marginalisation, and powerlessness, are laid bare with raw physicality and emotional intensity.
By challenging the historical racial projections of blackness – its crudeness, threat, sexuality, rage and immorality – the performance unveils its power, grace, sensuality, tenderness, intelligence and love. Impasse goes beyond mere exploration and invites a reshaping of our sense of self and community. It reclaims our humanity and celebrates the autonomy and self-determination of Black bodies.
This event is part of the Dublin Dance Festival. See the full programme here.
Accessibility
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Credits
Choreographer: Mufutau Yusuf
Performers: Lucas Katangila, Mufutau Yusuf
Composition & Sound: Tom Lane, Mick Donohoe
Set Design: Mufutau Yusuf
Light Design: Matt Burke
Costume Design: Alison Brown
Text: Ikenna Anyabuike
Production Manager: Lisa Mahony
Stage Manager / Set Consultant: Lisa Krugel
Co-production: Liz Roche Company
Biographies
Mufutau Yusuf is a Nigeria-born Irish performer, choreographer, teacher, and curator. A graduate of Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance, Mufutau is a dancer with Ultima Vez in Belgium and in Ireland with Liz Roche Company, John Scott’s IMDT, United Fall, Catherine Young Dance, to name a few. As a choreographer, Mufutau debuted his first full-length work ‘Òwe’ in 2022, which premiered in New York and Dublin Fringe Festival. Mufutau is an associate artist with Solstice Arts Centre and Liz Roche Company and a recipient of the Irish Arts Council Dance Bursary award 2020 and Project Award 2022 and 2023. His passion for improvisation and sharing has bought him to share his teaching practice to various platforms, festivals, and institution. Mufutau is a co-curator of ‘TW1’ (Train With One), a bi-monthly workshop platform which aims to bridge the gap between the Irish contemporary dance scene with that of continental Europe.
Press
★★★★ “Although still a work in progress, Impasse by Mufutau Yusuf was almost perfectly formed as it eloquently challenged bodily identity and autonomy, in this case the black body.” The Irish Times
“Already a successful dancer, Yusuf is emerging as a promisingly clear-visioned choreographer.” The Irish Times
“When the charismatic Mufutau Yusuf is on stage, it’s hard to look anywhere else.” The New York Times
Funding
Funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon Commissioned by Liz Roche Company Supported by Solstice Arts Centre, Dance Cork Firkin Crane, Irish Arts Centre, Ultima Vez, Dublin Dance Festival, Maison de la Danse, Lyon – Pôle européen de creation, Centre National de la Danse.
Supported by Dunne & Crescenzi
Disclaimer
Contains nudity.