Iria Arenas
Movement Performance Visual Arts
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AboutComing from a remote village in Spain, my eagerness to escape the traditional 'pueblo' life has led me to live in England, Germany and now the land of saunas and Marimekko: Finland. I do not limit my practice to a single artistic field, and I am an advocate for the potential of art to inspire meaningful change—whether in society, in the perception of the world, or both (that depends on the level of ambitiousness on the day). Throughout my career, shaped by consistent freelance work, I’ve had the chance to delve into areas like performance, choreography, dance, lighting design, and practice-based research, while also taking on roles such as website developer, office coordinator, and social media manager for the independent dance scene in the city of Kassel (documenta-Stadt). In my latest work, I examine how power structures shape and manipulate the body to reinforce and sustain social forces, exploring dominant narratives in art history and their influence through the lens of Transgender Studies. When I'm not stuck in a loop of thoughts, you’ll find me dancing at home, grooving with friends or clubbing when possible on weekends to keep my sanity in check. I firmly believe in the power of club culture and dance to spread unity and love—two key ingredients we desperately need in this world. Additionally, I live with UC, which doctors insist on labeling as a "chronic" illness. While I prefer not to fully embrace that title, it certainly plays a significant role in my life and dictates what I can do and when—definitely keeping things interesting.
Education




Other Master in Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art. Aalto University, Espoo (FI), 2024-ongoing.
Postgraduate in Performance Research Studies. SOZO vim. Kassel (DE), 2017-2018.
Master in Theatre and Performing Arts. Complutense University of Madrid. Madrid (ES), 2016-2017.
Bachelor in Visual Arts and Contemporary Dance. Rey Juan Carlos University. Madrid (ES), 2010-2014.

An Introduction to Trans Studies - Open Course. Åbo Akademi University. Turku (FI), 2023.
​Developing an Artistic Research Project - Open Course. Stockholm University of the Arts (SE), 2021-2022.
Work ExperienceTeacher. Hip Hop and House Dance. Saiffa - Flow Mo Dance School. Helsinki (FI), 2023-ongoing.
Theater Technician Assistant. Zodiak - Centre of New dance. Helsinki (FI), 2023-ongoing.
Teacher. Introduction to Stage Lighting and Web Development. SOZO vim. Kassel (DE), 2020-2023.
Website Designer and Social Media Coordinator. Tanzwerk Kassel e.V. Kassel (DE), 2020-23.
Office Assistant/Coordinator. Tanzwerk Kassel e.V. Kassel (DE), 2020-21.
Grants Goethe Institut. Culture Moves Europe. Individual Mobility Grant, 2024.
Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel, 2023.
Fonds Darstellende Künste. NEUSTART KULTUR. #TakeHeart Rechercheförderung, 2023.
NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ - STEPPING OUT, 2022.
Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel, 2022.
Goethe Institut - Nachwuchsförderung, 2021.
Brückenstipendien - Hessische Kulturstiftung
, 2021.
Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel, 2021.
Hessische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst, 2021.
Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel, 2020.
AC/E Programme for the Internationalisation of Spanish Culture (PICE), 2018.
ResidenciesSonnenstein Loft. Linz (AT), 2024.
ON DISPLAY. Lake Studios Berlin (DE), 2022.
Studio Practice and Artistic Process. Stockholm University of the Arts (SE), 2021.
Atelier Real (REAT). Lisbon (PT), 2018.
Oulu Dance Hack. Oulu (FI), 2017.
DOCH Summer Residency. Stockholm (SE), 2016.
Lighting DesignNEFES & Global Music Master’s Transcultural Ensemble. Vapaan Taiteen Tila. Helsinki (FI), 2024.
Zipora and Friends. Sibelius Academy. Kalliosali. Helsinki (FI), 2023.
STREAMS #4. Aura Antikainen & Niv Melamed. Halle 2. Kassel (DE), 2023.
Sie starb und sie lebte. Rosalie Kubny. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE), 2023.
DIE FLACHE ERDE. Lauren Rae Mace. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE), 2022.
Silken Veil. C/O Mareike Steffens. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE), 2022.
Visitors. arenas&antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel, Germany (DE), 2021.
EPILOGUE. Deborah Smith-Wicke. Halle 2. Kassel (DE), 2021.
Could you stay for tea?. Aura Antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE), 2021.
Body of land. TANZWERKE '21. Aura Antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE), 2021.
Protrahere. Deborah Smith-Wicke. Halle 2. Kassel (DE), 2021.
Rock, water, spell. C/O Mareike Steffens. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE), 2020.
Choreografische Werkstatt, Staatstheater. Kassel (DE), 2019. 
Dance / Performance









Guest Dancer / PerformerRed Bull Dance Your Style, Helsinki (FI), 2024.
check your body at the door. Hällä-näyttämö. Tampere (FI), 2024. 
check your body at the door. Kulturhaus Dock4. Kassel (DE), 2023.
anverso. Stockholm Fringe Festival (SE), 2021.
anverso. Gothenburg Fringe Festival (SE), 2021.
late for laundry, again. Galeria Kollektiva. Kassel, (DE), 2021.
anverso. Oops Festival. Brighton (UK), 2019.
anverso. RandFilm Festival. Kassel (DE), 2018.
Wortenlust. Stockholm Fringe Festival (SE), 2017.
Wortenlust. OT301 Highs and Lows #22. Amsterdam (NT), 2017. 

Terrain. Boris Charmatz. Theater Spektakel. Zurich (CH), 2019.
Ares. Statisten-Staatstheater Kassel. Johannes Wieland. Kassel (DE), 2019.
Reflections: Triple Bill. Body Politic Dance Company. Oxford (UK), 2016-2017. 
Dancers. Coproducción Sonia Gómez + CORPO A TERRA. Ourense (ES), 2017.
Installationanverso. Violett Kunstgalerie. Body Tales. Kassel (DE), 2022.
anverso. tonwerkstatt kassel. Kassel (DE), 2022.
anverso. Pilotenkueche. Moving surreal curiosity. Leipzig (DE), 2022.
anverso. 4bid Gallery. Amsterdam (NL), 2022.
anverso. CreativQuartier Fürst Leopold. Dorsten (DE), 2022.
Videoanverso. Festival Antigone. Centre Culturel d'Uccle . Brussels (BE), 2023.
anverso. Tanzhaus Temporär Nº1. Berpark. Kassel (DE), 2022.
anverso. LAKE Studios Berlin. ON DISPLAY Screening. Berlin (DE), 2022.
anverso. Queeres Kurzfilmkino im TiF. Staatstheater Kassel (DE), 2022.
anverso. United Cowboys. Seasoning Summer 2020. Eindhoven (NT), 2020.
anverso. NB Film Festival. Puebla, Mexico and Texas (US), 2019. 
anverso. VideoSkin Festival. Ontario (CA), 2019.
anverso. SzoloDuo Festival - Ork_Kota_Platform. Budapest (HU), 2019.
©Iria Arenas 2024
IndexLX Portfolio
Selected Works
What’s New? 
Writing Archive
Calendar
Writing ArchiveTrascending Canvases
Research, 2023Abstract: Transcending Canvases is an ongoing research project situated at the intersection of Transgender Studies, Art History, and Performance Arts. This project responds to a personal need to understand how dominant narratives in art history have contributed to the construction of binary genders ideals and bodily norms in contemporary Western societies. Drawing on the interdisciplinary field of Transgender Studies, it aims to deconstruct these dominant narratives by reviving marginalized artworks that once challenged gender and body stereotypes fearlessly.

Full text (on request)

An Ode To My Dysphorias
Manuscript, 2023Abstract: An Ode To My Dysphorias emerges as the culmination of an immersive journey undertaken during the open course "Introduction to Trans Studies" at Åbo Akademi University. Through a fusion of drawings, poems and experimental prose, this manuscript essay delves into the intricate nuances of dysphoria at both a personal and societal level, unravelling its multiple manifestations in the context of gendered bodily experiences and the embodiment of gender itself. The work claims that dysphoria, often perceived as a disabling mood disorder, is a pervasive condition intricately woven into social constructions. It argues that dysphoria would cease to exist if not for a social framework that shapes, defines and perpetuates its existence. Within these pages lies an extensive inquiry into trans studies, drawing from diverse disciplines encompassing socio-political, philosophical, biological, cultural, spiritual, and artistic realms. Engaging with the works of David J. Getsy, Susan Stryker, Hil Malatino, Miquel Missé, Paul B. Preciado, Anne Fausto-Sterling, Kit Keyam, and Akwaeke Emezi, this manuscript serves as a nexus where scholarly discourse converges with artistic expression.

Full text (on request)

THE WORK OF ART IN THE CURRENT OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS - “Peoples’ Justice” at documenta 15
Article, 2023Abstract: In this text I address the character of political correctness in the art world by paying attention to the contradictions, interests and power struggles that influence and even distort the readings and interpretations of certain works when the horizons of understanding differ from one's own. A political correctness that nowadays is splashed across major international European art events turning into a gigantic corporatist hypocrisy that sometimes reveals itself in the most obvious ways, being the incidents at the fifteenth edition of documenta one of the most controversial of recent months.

Full text (on request)

Anverso
Portoflio, 2022Abstract: 'anverso' is an artistic project that understands the body as a form. It offers new ways of looking at the human figure questioning ideas and prejudices about the nude in Western cultures. This research began in 2018 during a year-long artist residency in Germany where I explored the potentiality of the body form with three dance students. The goal was to play visually with the human figure, presenting individual and group bodies on stage in an abstracted form by means of performance art. During the research phase I was particularly surprised to see how the contemplation of a moving body from the backside changes the perception of the human figure and, thus, breaks all sorts of biases and pre-established canons of beauty. Motivated by this peaceful feeling of looking at bodies from a neutral point of view, I went on researching in this direction until today. 

Full text (on request)

The Creative Potential of Boredom
Research, 2021Abstract: This artistic research project examines, from a Western cultural perspective, the use of boredom in the arts throughout history with special emphasis on the second half of the 20th century up to the contemporary times. The aim of this research is to explore the creative or critical potential of boredom through artistic practice, inspired by the writings and artworks on the modern experience of this condition. The collected documentation will serve as the basis for an artistic project in which I explore how to use this state of mind as a starting point and as a source of creativity within the framework of conceptual and performance art. Methodology, material, and artworks resulting from the practice will be shared through a series of performances and exhibitions in the course of this research period.

Full text (on request)

TEATRO Y DANZA EN LOS ORÍGENES DE LA ESCENA MODERNA: evolución, paralelismos y confluencias.
 MA Thesis, 2017Resumen: Los orígenes de esta investigación se hallan en el encuentro de los dos grandes campos de mi formación académica y experiencia profesional: el teatro y la danza. Disciplinas que pertenecen al mismo ámbito de las artes escénicas, pero que han estado separadas durante muchos años en la historia del mundo occidental, donde el baile, en el mejor de los casos, se utilizaba como relleno para los momentos de descanso de obras teatrales. A pesar de que la danza ha sido señalada por muchos historiadores como la primera forma de manifestación artística del hombre a partir de la cual surge el teatro, considero que actualmente es un objeto de estudio muy poco valorado en algunos ámbitos académicos, tal y como he comprobado personalmente en este Máster de Teatro y Artes Escénicas. Es por ello que con esta investigación se pretende poner en evidencia la importancia que supone para el teatro el cruce con la danza moderna a partir de la revalorización de lo corporal en un teatro de vanguardia donde surgen los primeros pedagogos modernos con el objetivo de promover su estudio como asignatura complementaria dentro de este programa educativo.

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EL VIDEOARTE: Estudio sobre el nivel de aceptación y conocimiento del Videoarte de los visitantes de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.BA Thesis, 2014Resumen: Con este proyecto de investigación se pretende analizar el panorama actual del conocimiento del Videoarte: un género artístico que creció apartado del terreno de lo comercial como vehículo alternativo de protesta utilizado por una minoría de jóvenes artistas. Para llevar a cabo esta investigación se realizaron una serie de encuestas a los visitantes de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando durante los meses en los que se exponían, en la sala permanente de este museo, algunas de las vídeo-instalaciones de Bill Viola. Tras estudiar los resultados, se comprobó que el Videoarte –a pesar de tener ya medio siglo de historia– continúa siendo un género marginado y poco conocido en comparación con el resto de vanguardias artísticas. Éste y otros muchos aspectos relacionados con el arte del vídeo serán examinados en el presente trabajo, no sin antes realizar un recorrido histórico para contextualizar y dar a conocer algunos de las características esenciales del Videoarte antes de entrar en el objeto de estudio.

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