Tracing the Contours is an artistic research laboratory proposed by choreographer and researcher Marina Nabais, as part of a research project developed through practice.

The project combines choreographic and pedagogical experiences with the principles of permaculture, proposing to think about and create dance based on an embodied ecology and an expanded listening to the body, space, and environment.

Over eight sessions, the laboratory promotes experimentation and collective reflection, culminating in a class-performance open to the public. Professionals, researchers, students, and people with no previous experience in the performing arts participate, forming a diverse and interdisciplinary group.

During the process, the boundaries of the body, space, environment, and the other are explored, investigating how the principles of permaculture can dialogue with modes of creation and composition in dance and movement.

This experience aims to lay the foundations for a choreographic design—a creative and pedagogical tool—with potential interest for those who teach, choreograph, or investigate movement. At the same time, it is proposed as a space for encounter, discovery, and sharing between doing and thinking, between practice and reflection.

Artistic creation and direction | Marina Nabais
Set design | Maria João Castelo and Marina Nabais
Participation in presentation and costumes | Ana Coelho, Emanuel Frazão, Fernando Chainço, Joana Carrasqueira, Luísa Lima, Marina Nabais, Paula Teixeira, Pedro Matos, Rita Lé, Sara Félix, Tilda Stertzig do Nascimento, Yelva Binder. (Bairro dos Lóios). Ana Coelho, Emanuel Frazão, Fernando Chainço, Joana Carrasqueira, Luísa Lima, Marina Nabais, Paula Teixeira, Pedro Matos, Rita Lé, Sara Félix, Tilda Stertzig do Nascimento. (ACCCA – Clara Andermatt Company)
Production | Marina Nabais Dance, cultural association
Executive Production | Leonor Carpinteiro and Marta Almeida
Video recording | Eva Ângelo
Sound post-production | Júlio Pereira
Support | Lisbon City Council
Partners | Associação Tempo de Mudar, ACCCA – Companhia Clara Andermatt, Alkantara Associação Cultural, Biblioteca de Marvila, Polo Cultural Gaivotas | Boavista

Acknowledgements | Ana Luísa Costa, Lara Bateira, Michel Bénard, Sara Vaz, Ricardo Teixeira, Carlota Sousa

Presentation
May 24 – Bairro dos Lóios

CREDITS (Almada)

Artistic creation and guidance | Marina Nabais
Participation | Ana Rita Seabra, André Cardoso, Carla Ribeiro, Filipa Leite, Hugo Pereira, Inês Galvão Teles, Inês Zinho Pinheiro, Joana Carrasqueira, Luísa Lima, Manuela Pedroso, Maria Duarte, Marina Nabais, Marta Almeida, Marta Angelozzi, Paula Teixeira, Rita Lé, Soledad Rodríguez, Tilda Stertzig do Nascimento.
Production | Marina Nabais Dança, cultural association
Executive Production | Leonor Carpinteiro and Marta Almeida
Video recording | Eva Ângelo
Sound post-production | Júlio Pereira
Support | Almada City Council
Partners | Ponto de Encontro – Casa Municipal da Juventude

Presentation
September 13 – Ponto de Encontro – Casa Municipal da Juventude