Un-Label

April 13, 2017

Un-label was a programme of seminars, artistic and inclusive workshops and a multidisciplinary dance-theatre production, taking place from May 2015 through to April 2017. Un-label has spawned a performing arts company of the same name, and a follow-up collaboration entitled ImPart.

Un-Label is run by the Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Sommertheaters Pusteblume e.V. (Association of Sommertheater Pusteblume). For many years, the Cologne-based society has been successfully working in the field of cultural programs for people with and without disability. In doing so, the focus is always on an inclusive and integrative approach.

Partners

The project was funded by the EU Creative Europe programme and by the Aktion Mensch (German Association for the Care of the Disabled).

Project partners are Candoco Dance Company (England), Synergy of Music Theatre (Greece), Association for The Development of Social and Cultural Life (SKYGD) (Turkey), Cologne University of Applied Sciences (Germany).

Project overview

Un-Label means “not to label anybody” and is aimed at people who in our society are often labelled in a negative way. It is designed to create a counterbalance to this stigmatization. The manifold and creative potential the participants contribute to the project is hence to be rendered visible and to be made use of.

In September 2015, the first Un-Label workshop took place in Cologne, Germany. 22 international artists from different artistic backgrounds (music, dance, acting, poetry) worked on the topic ‘self-love’. In November 2015 the second Un-Label workshop took place in Larissa, Greece where 20 artists from different artistic backgrounds (music, dance, acting,acrobatics) worked on the topic passionate love. In February 2016 the third Un-Label workshop took place in Istanbul, Turkey. 25 international artists from different artistic disciplines (music, dance, acting, poetry) worked on the topic of ‘The big L – Love’. The groups developed different artistic approaches through improvisation and physical research.

About 100 young artists from all over Europe have collaborated to work with new inclusive and imaginative ways to innovate the performing arts. The group of participants consisted of people with sensory, mental, or physical disabilities and people without a disability.

An International Symposium took place at FORUM Volkshochschule im Kulturquartier (Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum), Cologne from 3rd-4th May 2016.

‘L – Do I Need Labels To Love’ a production created as part of the project took place at Kölner Künstler Theater, Grüner Weg 5, 50825 Cologne from 12th – 15th May 2016.