IGOR SHYSHKO
creator, performer,
researcher, and dancer

Born in Belarus Shyshko came to Brussels for education at P.A.R.T.S. During that period, he worked as an assistant for the creation of 'Drumming' by Rosas. He was a permanent part of the Rosas company for 10 years, participating in numerous choreographies. He worked as a performer with Akram Kahn, Michele Noiret, Arco Renz, and Marc Vanrunxt, among others. In his quest for a personal dance language as a maker and choreographer, he created 'Darling' with Moya Michael, 'Precarryus' with Tale Dolven, and 'Malus'. These three performances have a stronger personal and research-oriented character. In these creations, he develops a reflection on the reality that surrounds him. A physically embedded investigation into the relationship between art, the artist, and the reality in which he lives.

ALBINA VAKHITOVA
artist, performer, choreographer,
and movement director

Born in 1995 in Khabarovsk, Russia, she is currently based in Paris. In 2020, Albina founded her own dance company called "SAAD," which has since become a platform for her innovative and collaborative works. Albina's artistic endeavors have earned her recognition on various platforms, including participation in the 6th Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art and the 2nd Triennial of Russian Contemporary Art. Throughout her career, Albina has collaborated with an array of esteemed choreographers, directors, artists, and composers from around the world, including Claudia Castellucci, Tatiana Chizhikova, Philippe Almeida, and Igor Shyshko, among others. She has also worked with acclaimed artists such as Kirill Serebrennikov and Pussy Riots. Albina's artistic approach is characterized by a unique blend of choreography, intuitive improvisation, and live art. She explores themes of performative transformation and cultural bricolage, drawing inspiration from elements such as dynamic sculpture, psychological reflection, and childlike innocence. The dance company "SAAD," founded by Albina, embodies her vision of integrating subjective experiences into performative pieces. Comprising artists from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, "SAAD" has evolved into a large union of over 30 artists from around the world, reflecting Albina's commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in the arts.

ELKE VAN CAMPENHOUT
artistic researcher,
experimental performer

Elke studied philosophy and cultural studies at the University of Leuven, Belgium, where she also obtained her teaching degree. She currently works and lives as a ‘monk’, spiritual teacher, workshop organizer, and experimental performer. In a previous phase of her career, Elke Van Campenhout was a dance and theatre critic for the newspaper De Standaard and Radio Klara. She also served as the head editor of the performance magazine Etcetera and worked as a dramaturg for various international institutes. Elke Van Campenhout worked for 10 years (2007-2016) as the director of a.pass (advanced performance and scenography studies), overseeing the creation, organization, and communication of its learning environment, as well as facilitating the long-term research department. She launched the program in 2008 as an alternative knowledge and practice center for artists and theoreticians, fostering a space rooted in self-organization and collaboration within a distinctly transdisciplinary setting. In 2016, she left the a.pass environment to devote more time to developing The Monastery and pursuing her own spiritual and academic work. Since 2017, The Monastery has established a stable and expanding practice base, evolving into an open house that hosts a small group of permanent monks and researchers, along with numerous guests. These visitors participate in workshops, classes, discussions, brainstorming sessions, rituals, or simply join in the communal life as short- or long-term residents.

NEXCYIA
sound artist

NEXCYIA also known as Adam Dove is an sound artist, and experimental ambient musician. His compositions seamlessly blend immersive sound design and textural soundscapes using elements of noise, granular synthesis, found sounds and rhythms. His work traverses various moods and emotions, delving into themes of otherness and belonging, using an approach of layering and manipulating archival audio sourced and compiled from home videos and the deep corners of the internet, his process results in ever evolving pieces that invite listeners into a captivating sonic journey. Having performed at numerous venues and festivals across the UK and Europe, including locations such as the Barbican Centre, Institute of Contemporary Art, Cafe OTO, and Chisenhale Gallery, Nexcyia has established a notable presence in the ambient music scene with features in publications like 180 FACT, Wire Magazine, The Quietus, as well as, appearances on platforms such as NTS and BBC Radio. Nexcyia has performed with the likes of Caterina Barbieri, Kali Malone and Ulla and has been selected as part of SHAPE+ Platform 23/24.