Research Residency of FFA Doctoral Student Zuzana Žabková in San Francisco

As part of the Freemovers programme at FFA BUT, doctoral student Zuzana Žabková undertook a research residency at the Winslow House Project in San Francisco, USA. The residency took place from 10 to 26 February 2025 and built upon her long-term artistic and research interest (the project Prophetic Bodies) in connecting somatic dance forms, performative structures, and themes of physical disability and queer crip culture. The host organisation provided an inspiring and supportive environment that enabled deep artistic exploration and ample space for experimentation with movement-based approaches and performative forms.

The residency also included participation in the prestigious ROT festival (Fresh Festival), which has a fifteen-year tradition of supporting innovative dance practices. On 18 February 2025, together with artist Eva Priečková, our doctoral student performed at LAB, a prominent centre for performing arts in San Francisco, where they presented the performative work Weak Women. This joint project explores the concept of “bodies in distress” — a space for the emancipation of weakness, vulnerability, sensitivity, pain, and women’s emotional labour, that is, experiences which, according to the artists, are often overlooked in society. The performance was followed by a discussion on the creative process and conceptual framework of the piece, which initiated a meaningful dialogue with the local dance community. The artists thus received valuable feedback and opened up new opportunities for collaboration.

This international residency serves as an example of the successful integration of research, art, and international mobility, while also highlighting the importance of a sensitive artistic approach to themes of vulnerability, the body, and social stereotypes.

Concept and performance: Eva Priečková, Zuzana Žabková
Music: Antonia Beeskow
Costume and scenography: Nik Timková, Vojtěch Hlaváček
Light design: Bohdana Sýkorová
Production: Klaudia Klembarová, co.labs Brno

Author Mgr. Michal Mako
Published
Short URL https://www.favu.vut.cz/en/rad/awards-recognition/f91716/d286928

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Responsibility: doc. MgA. Filip Cenek