Our bodies carry unique microbial fingerprints that give us a strong microbiological identity. BLOT explores movement in relation to bacteria in the human body. Conceived in a hybrid format, juggling between a lecture and a choreographic performance, BLOT speaks to the similarities between humans and other animals, addressing physiological processes such as sweating, smelling, reproduction, exercise and immunity. From the microscopic to the planetary, the show addresses how bacteria influence these processes and connect us to the planet. Stripped of the social meanings imposed by language, in BLOT the body is redefined through a constant dialog about coexistence. The performance analyzes human existence through the prism of addiction and control, focusing on the subtle boundary between what is beneficial and what is toxic in nature and in the human body.

Initiated in 2020 by choreographers Simona Deaconescu and Vanessa Goodman, BLOT began as a multidisciplinary research project, presented as an installation and video performance at the 13th Vancouver Dance Biennale. In 2022, the Bucharest National Dance Center commissioned the Romanian-Canadian creative tandem to create a performance with a Romanian cast, consisting of Simona Dabija and Maria Luiza Dimulescu. Analyzing their own bacterial cultures under the microscope, the two performers are in a continuous process of researching the body, exploring its movement from the perspective of the biological processes that keep it alive.

With immersive music by Ukrainian Monocube and an industrial installation conceived by visual artist Ciprian Ciuclea, the performance enjoys the dramaturgical contribution of curator Olivia Nițiș and the artistic consultancy of artist Marta de Menezes.
BLOT addresses the body as a living system that cannot exist outside the crowds it contains.

So far, BLOT has been presented in various festivals and spaces for contemporary art and dance in Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Mexico and Canada, and will be presented in 2025 in two extensive tours in Eastern and Central Europe, as well as an extensive tour in the British Columbia region of Canada and Seattle (USA).

The show was part of the official selection for the 30th Internationale Tanzmesse in 2024, as well as being selected as one of the 10 productions presented at the Moving Balkans international exhibition platform in 2025.

By: Simona Deaconescu and Vanessa Goodman
With: Simona Dabija, Maria Luiza Dimulescu
Music: Monocube
Artistic consultant: Olivia Nițis
Object design: Ciprian Ciuclea
Lighting design: Ionuț Cherana, Marius Costache

Partners
BLOT – Body Line of Thought project started in 2020, produced by Tangaj Collective Association and Action at a Distance, co-funded by AFCN – Administration of the National Cultural Fund and Canada Council for the Arts and supported by Cultivamos Cultura, Biofriction, Left of Main, plastic orchid factory and CNDB.

With the support of
Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN)

Main partner
Linotip – Independent Choreographic Center

Partners
Galateca, Bucharest City Hall through ARCUB – Cultural Center of Bucharest, Universitatea Națională de Artă Teatrală și Cinematografică „I.L. Caragiale”, Liceul de Coregrafie „Floria Capsali”, Cinema Union, Cărturești, 5 to go

Main media partner
Radio Guerilla

Media partners
Adevărul, Agerpress, Elle, Happ.ro, Liternet, TVR Cultural, Radio România Cultural, Revista Arta, The Institute, Zile și nopți, Zeppelin, ISCOADA, Revista Golan, Feeder, Visit Bucharest, Ziarul Metropolis, Scena9, IQads, Ceașca de Cultură, Modernism.ro, Haute Culture Magazine, munteanurecomanda.ro, Daily Magazine

The performance is presented within the Dans.Context.Showcase project. Co-funded by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN). The project does not necessarily represent the position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or how the results of the project may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the grantee.

Special mentions

The show contains nudity.