Open Studio: Eva Urbanová & Petra Fornayová
As part of the festival ‘Nebenan – Independent Art from Slovakia’, director and performer Petra Fornayová and choreographer Eva Urbanová have been invited to HELLERAU for residencies. They will share their research processes in a joint Open Studio.
Duration: ca. 2 h
Language: English
During her residency, Eva Urbanová will work with dancer Giorgia Scisciola on her new project ‘OUR PRACTICES’. ‘OUR PRACTICES’ explores touch, sensitivity, connection, witchcraft and community. Based on the archetype of the witch, the dancers navigate through their sensitivity as a superpower. They work with touch, imagination and breath awareness.
Petra Fornayová is working on her new project ‘7sec_We are all lichens’ together with the author Peter Šulej during her residency. For the project, they are inspired by mysterious multi-organisms such as lichens, plants and fungi and their system of horizontal, non-hierarchical decision-making. Where is the boundary between satisfying one’s own needs and the needs of the group?
In cooperation with Telocvičňa – Dance Residency Centre
Eva Urbanová is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher of Slovak origin whose work delves deeply into themes of sensitivity, human connection, and the transformative power of the body. Eva Urbanová blends knowledge from dance, somatic practices, yoga, experimental drag, and immersive sensory experiences to craft performances that transcend the physical realm. They studied choreography at Prague’s HAMU and Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, with their works showcased at numerous international festivals.
Giorgia Scisciola is a freelance contemporary dancer who trained at the Dance Arts Faculty in Rome and Nuova Officina della Danza in Turin. She works for different projects and choreographers like Norrdans, Mauro Astolfi, Eva Borrman, Ella Rothschild, Juan Tirado, Yahi Nestor, Gioele Coccia and Simone Elliot. Currently based in Rome, Giorgia Scisciola bridges performing, teaching and assisting, working both as an artist and educator.
Petra Fornayová is director, performer and organizer, working in the field of contemporary dance and theater. She graduated at the Law Faculty of Comenius University in Bratislava, studied dance at the Academy for Performing Arts in Bratislava and at EDDC Dusseldorf. She has created more then 20 performances – being presented regularly at home and abroad. Petra Fornayová has founded and leads the international festival “Nu Dance Fest”. She is the curator of the dance program of the European City of Culture 2026 in Trenčín, the academy board member of Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica and a member of the editorial board of the magazine for contemporary art VLNA.
Peter Šulej is a poet and fiction writer, author of ten poetry books, two collections of short stories and three novels. He wrote many independent studies and articles focused on contemporary art and literature, lyrics for alternative music projects, radio plays and concepts of contemporary dance performances. He founded the Drewo a Srd publishing house and VLNA (Wave), a quarterly magazine for contemporary art and culture. He was the co-founder and content director of the international poetry festival Ars Poetica and has co-founded athe international festival for contemporary literature Novotvar.