Warum schämen wir uns? Ist Scham nichts als ein Unterdrückungsinstrument? Eine tänzerische Annäherung

Excerpts of HÄPEÄ-SHAME (2010)
from K&C Kekäläinen & Company

The Shame Project is a cross-section to the concept and manifestations of Shame. Choreographer Sanna Kekäläinen has done the research using both psychoanalytical and philosophical studies and contemporary literature, making their concepts and conclusions collide, observing the collision points. Why do we experience Shame?
The Shame Project is up-to-date social criticism at it’s sharpest and it takes a strong stand on our thoroughly capitalistic society.
Shame is the opposite of human autonomy and an archaic, early feeling. Because of this, Shame has been used as an effective tool for power throughout the history. It has been used to opress women and other minorities. The themes of Kekäläinen’s early works Studien über Hysterie (1991) and My sword has 7 edges and 3 knots (1992) are in close interaction with the roots of the concept of Shame: Studien über Hysterie dealt with the hysteria of a woman shamelessly and honestly, bringing the ugly, hysterical woman on the stage. My sword has 7 edges and 3 knots dealt with the ecstasy of a woman with straightness and sensuality, using the concept and writings of Saint Teresa of Avila. Echoes from these works can be heard in the Shame Project.

Choreography, concept, text and space: Sanna Kekäläinen
Dancers: Sanna Kekäläinen and Panu Varstala
Choreographer's assistant: Lilja Lehmuskallio
Lighting design: Heikki Paasonen
Documentation: Sini Haapalinna