Dancing in Teufelsmoor

15.05.2026

Over the past week, we have been working and researching intensively in the Teufelsmoor around Worpswede as well as in the dance studio at LebensArt. At the center of our work were questions of intuition, forms from nature, and symbolism – and above all, the question of transmission: the transmission of knowledge, of embodied knowledge, and of movement itself.

Out of these investigations, connective choreographic tools have emerged that allow us to understand and share movement as collective knowledge in space.

A particular focus was placed on working with the bird’s-eye perspective. This shifted way of seeing movement and space brought a new dimension to our choreographic development. Suddenly, it became visible how lines shift and how patterns emerge that are not immediately perceptible from ground-level experience.

It was especially striking to observe how the choreographic material grew in both locations – outside in the landscape of the Teufelsmoor as well as inside the studio.

Throughout the week, an internal, non-audible melody developed between us – a shared rhythm that inscribes itself into our movements and becomes perceptible through the body. As our only musical element, we used a Cabalonga shaker, which created a very reduced and focused sonic atmosphere.

At the beginning and end of each working day, we practiced a ritual in which each person holds a stone while speaking and sharing something from the process. This simple gesture created a shared focus.

Working in public and natural space also came with organizational challenges: it was not easy to obtain permission to work in the nature reserve. This made us even more conscious in our approach, and we tried to disturb the environment as little as possible and to move as part of the existing landscape.

On Sunday, we shared our work in the moor – in a circle of chairs at the Beek Bridge. This place created a calm, open, and at the same time very present atmosphere for sharing.

During our video recordings, we also tested different locations in order to further develop the choreographic material through film. This material will now be integrated into a final video.

We are very satisfied with the positive response to the week and would like to continue and deepen the project. In the images, we share some impressions from this intensive shared time.