ARTISTIC STATEMENT

From isolation to connection

DE AQUÍ, DE ALLÁ

When I first left home to study dance and moved into my college apartment, my journey to find plátanos made it clear that I didn't quite belong. I was surrounded by students who shared my passion and curiosity for contemporary dance, but I had to venture further north to find my ingredients: sofrito, plátanos, and the chocolate I melt for hot cocoa. Then, during my time with family, I felt a sense of sadness that the art form to which I dedicated my life seemed so separate from their world.

In the search for belonging, I dove inward, allowing the narratives embedded within my body to guide my artistic process. Through the investigation of slowness, micro-movements, and the principles of somatic psychology, these previously dormant narratives began a journey of healing, transformation, and evolution. Drawing upon the Hispanic literary tradition of magical realism, I started to integrate elements of realistic fiction into my movement-based narratives, creating performances that resonate with the subconscious and expose deeper truths. This artistic endeavor provides a platform for engaging with the intricate interplay of raw and playful mysticism inherent in our lived experiences.

Sarah Panayiotou Leñador,
Artistic Director, BABEL MOVEMENT