Farah Saleh
Innovative Palestinian dancer, choreographer, blending memory, politics, and identity.
Date of Birth:
1985
Palestinian refugee camp in Syria
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Her unique approach in integrating dance, political context, and personal memory has redefined the scope of contemporary dance, especially within the Palestinian narrative.
Brief bio
Farah Saleh is a Palestinian dancer and choreographer known for her innovative and thought-provoking dance performances. She has garnered international acclaim for her ability to use dance as a medium to explore and express issues related to identity, memory, and the Palestinian experience.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Moved to Jordan as a young girl: Saleh's early years were marked by her movement from a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria to Jordan, then back to Palestine, and finally to Italy for academic studies, where she continued her dance education.
Development of her unique dance method (2013): Saleh developed a distinctive approach to dance, focusing on the archive of gestures and avoiding traditional dance techniques.
Creation of "What My Body Can/t Remember" (2019): A pivotal piece based on her memories of the Second Intifada in 2002, relying solely on bodily memories without physical archives like videos or photos.
PAST-inuous performance (2021): An interactive live performance installation reflecting on the Palestinian refugee experience.
Earned her practice-based PhD (2023): Completed her PhD at Edinburgh College of Art, further solidifying her academic and practical contributions to contemporary dance.
Award-Winning Performances: Won 3rd prize at YAYA (2014) and dance prize at Palest’In and Out Festival (2016)...See More
Innovative Dance Installations: Created installations like "A Fidayee Son in Moscow" and "Cells of Illegal Education" focusing on themes of civil disobedience and cultural representation...See More
Engagement with International Dance Companies: Worked with various dance companies across Palestine, Europe, and the US, contributing to a diverse range of dance projects...See More
Teaching and Coordinating Artistic Projects: Taught dance and coordinated projects with institutions like the Palestinian Circus School and Sareyyet Ramallah.
Co-Founder of Sareyyet Ramallah Summer Dance School: Co-founded and ran this dance school, nurturing the next generation of dancers.
Date of Last Update:
January 7, 2025
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