Unlearning Dance: Reclaiming the Power of Dancing

Abstract The Unlearning Dance: Reclaiming the Power of Dancing research workshops, led by artists and educators Agus Margiyanto, Ieva Ginkevičiūtė, Indrė Gin, and Retno Sulistyorini, explore the unlearning dance process. This ongoing collective research aims to reconsider institutionalised and commercialised narratives in dance across various contexts, as these narratives often restrict personal expression and marginalise diverse cultural and individual perspectives. Through workshops and collaborative inquiry, the authors explore entrenched habits in dance education in terms of the body, myths, and power dynamics. The research workshops draw attention to how participants reconnect with their embodied memories, discover movement habits, and reclaim dance as subjective and inclusive practice. Ultimately, this research expands the understanding of dance as an evolving, decentralised form of expression, with significant implications for both education and performance.