OULU BUDAPEST BUCHAREST
DANCE
HACK
ABOUT
EU Dance Hack is a 2-year research project made possible by financial support from the EU Creative Europe – European Cooperation strand. This project is about taking the methods that have been developed in Oulu Dance Hack and applying them in the context of other European cities. The dance/tech team at TaikaBox has been running Oulu Dance Hack in Northern Finland since 2016 and will be sharing their knowledge with Central Europe Dance Theatre in Hungary and Developing Art in Romania to create the first Budapest Dance Hack in November 2024 and Bucharest Dance Hack in April 2025.
Each Dance Hack is a residency intensive where international dance artists gather to spend a week in the studio with creative technologists, dance/tech experts, musicians, engineers and educators. It is designed to be a safe space for experimentation, with the emphasis on practical collaboration. The whole team works together to explore new technology in a performance context. Participants are chosen through an open call process.
The project aims to build capacity within the dance/technology sector across Europe, creating a network of specialists who can support dance artists in their journey to incorporate technology into their practice. It is also a method for bringing together businesses and cultural organisations in an environment that is mutually beneficial. Oulu has been selected as a European Capital of Culture in 2026 and Oulu Dance Hack will be part of the Autumn programme.
EU Dance Hack is a sustainable project; there are no flights involved and equipment is resourced through partnerships with local businesses and universities. The carbon footprint of the project is calculated and compensated. This website is hosted by GreenGeeks who plant trees to balance the resources used by their servers.
PARTNERS
TaikaBox
TaikaBox is an Oulu-based dance/tech association. We strive to bring digitalisation and technology closer to performing arts and advocate for a shift towards a culturally positive mindset for businesses, industry development and research within the digital realm.
Central Europe Dance Theatre
CEDT is one of Hungary’s most innovative dance companies. Its characteristic repertoire strives for topicality and reflectivity. The company has chosen the diverse language of contemporary dance to highlight and respond to everyday issues. The company has performed in 44 cities in 22 countries, from the United States to Armenia, Finland and Egypt, and has given more than 120 premieres.
Developing Art
Developing Art (DA) is a cultural organisation based in Bucharest, Romania. Since 2017 we have developed a large number of interdisciplinary projects in contemporary dance, mixed media, education and research, and visual arts, ranging from dance performances to photo exhibitions, from installations to dance therapy workshops and from book launches to artistic residencies.
OUR MISSION
“The annual Oulu Dance Hack is a unique opportunity to meet like-minded artists and technology specialists who are interested in creative risk-taking and collaborating in an exciting and supportive atmosphere. Together we explore the relationship between dance and technology to kickstart the future of performance.” - the TaikaBox team.
Innovation
We help rethink the artistic motion of the human body as a conversation with the complicated environment of technology. The Dance Hack method is a process of experimentation with the relationships between technology and performance.
Collaboration
Spectacular developments in art have often come from impromptu meetings of minds, so we encourage open dialogue and vibrant exchange between well-prepared individuals seeking to explore expression in spontaneous collaboration.
Sustainability
We believe in taking our part against climate change. The EU Dance Hack project is committed to environmental sustainability, so it is essential that participants travel slowly - no flights allowed!
COUNTDOWN
until
BUCHAREST DANCE HACK 2025 begins
Mentors in the
EU Dance Hack
Jussi Alaraasakka
Mentor in audio technology and aural arts.
Jussi Alaraasakka is a freelance sound artist, musician, sound designer, workshop manager and event organiser.
He’s been working with music technology since 1993 and in that time has performed at numerous events. His philosophy is that the stage can be everywhere.
He has developed sound art / electronic music / podcast workshops for a wide range of organisations.
He has been the principal organiser for several indie festivals, and has worked as sound technician at the Midnight Sun Film Festival and helped to organise the annual IIK! horror movie festival. In addition to many years as mentor for Oulu Dance Hack, Jussi’s mentoring experience extends to working with small businesses to support the development of their online marketing.
Currently he is researching the potential of electronic music production and performance in VR/AR.
https://alaraasakka.wordpress.com/
https://taikabox.com/the-stage-can-be-anywhere/
Andreea Novac
Mentor in dance and choreography
Andreea Novac is a choreographer and performer based in Bucharest, Romania. Born in 1981, she graduated in Psychology (BA) and Choreography (BA, MA, PhD) at the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest. She started making her own work in 2008, and some of her performances were presented in various national and international contexts. Andreea
participates regularly in dance, research, composition, and improvisation workshops in Europe, and has had artistic residencies in Great Britain, Estonia, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, France, Ireland and Romania.
She received a series of scholarships in Italy and Germany and several awards for her work/contribution to the development of contemporary dance in Romania. She is the co - founder of Developing Art Association and has worked as an artistic consultant at the National Dance Centre Bucharest, In 2020, she co-curated Bucharest International Dance Film Festival, and was the artistic director of the Caleido Festival in 2020, 2021 and 2023. Since 2022 she is an associated artist at Areal – space for choreographic development. Andreea regularly teaches classes for professional and amateur dancers and works in theatre and film.
Csilla Nagy
Mentor in dance and choreography
Csilla Nagy is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and Craniosacral Therapist. She pursued her studies at the Hungarian Dance Academy and furthered her education at CODARTS- Rotterdam Dance Academy. Her early dance education also included time at the Budapest Dance School under the guidance of Goli Táncműhely. From 2008 onward, Csilla Nagy engaged in collaborative efforts with ARTUS – Gábor Goda Company. Notably, she became a part of the L1 Association between 2013 and 2015. Since 2012 she has held the position of collective leader within CIPOLLA COLLECTIVA.
https://www.cipollacollectiva.hu
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