Non-binary movement researcher and artist Titilayo Adebayo is using their residency at Tanzhaus Zürich to work on SOLO 1 – an experimental piece bringing forth questions about horror. "What it means to be horrified," they say, "and then also ecstacy... feeling alive. Isolating and loneliness. Being optimistic even in the most darkest of times. – Follow the white rabbit. – Don't fuck it up. – Don't spill a drop. – Do let them know how imperfect you are."
So far, Titilayo has been researching through different mediums of dance. Butoh, improvisation, modern dance, post-modern dance, Alexander technique, viewpoints and other various styles. As a dancer born into times where modern dance, post-modern and contemporary are pretty much blurred. Titilayo takes this opportunity to provide an even more queer perspective. The space is a grey area. Nothing ends and nothing begins. Story time, but not for the faint hearted.
Titilayo is a Yoruba name. It translates to Everlasting Joy. They are inspired by the Yoruba deity Oya. Oya demands change, even if it means bringing a storm to destroy everything to start anew. "I feel Covid and Oya hold similar expectations of people this time. I hope we listen, this solo is my response," Titilayo says.