Studies on Squats is an evocative exploration of embodied resistance and political movement that uses the multifaceted posture of the "Asian Squat" as a lens through which broader concepts of migration, illness, and resilience are examined.
In Studies on Squats, the body—in its most vulnerable and potent states—becomes a speculative site for reclaiming agency by crafting new forms of protest that draw from ancestral strength, humor and eroticism. This posture, rich with cultural resonance, offers as an entry point to imagine ways in which the body can engage in acts of defiance against systems of oppression. Studies on Squats invites the audience to consider how dance and choreographic thinking can serve as tools for envisioning alternative futures, where artistry empowers those enduring systemic social injustices to transform their realities.
Yon Natalie Mik (Berlin/Los Angeles) is a visual artist and dancer who works through images/drawings, sound, and performance to create expanded forms of choreographies. Addressing how intersectional oppression creates barriers that culturally disable people from reaching their full potential, her work invites the audience to unlearn and reimagine dance as a vehicle to build more inclusive and accessible dialogues with each other. Her work often employs critical methods researching and archiving, and thrives in diverse environments, including public service facilities, in educational contexts, cultural and art venues. Most of her works can be experienced from home or other personal spaces, which allows the audience to engage with the choreographies on their own terms and temporality.
