How two Palestinian artists are changing contemporary performance

“Frontiers: A Contemporary Dance Series” is not just about showcasing performances, it’s exploring the evolving definition of dance within emerging contemporary choreography. A collaboration between Alserkal Avenue, the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, and Aerowaves, the series, which recently took place, is a platform for daring works that challenge conventions, spark conversation, and explore deeply personal and political themes. Among this year’s standout performances is Losing It, an evocative piece by Palestinian choreographers Samaa Wakim and Samar Haddad King.

For Samaa and Samar, storytelling in dance doesn’t have to follow a confined path. “You can tell a story through linear or non-linear ideas, abstract or concrete,” Samar shares. In Losing It, that storytelling unfolds through sound, movement, and the tension between control and chaos. “Samaa on stage is trying to find balance in a somewhat chaotic world,” Samar explains. “The lack of visibility, the interplay of sound, and the tension between safety and danger—these elements highlight a reality where what feels frightening might become celebratory, and vice versa.”

The piece draws from Samaa’s personal text and transforms it into movement, exploring how sound impacts the body and mind. It’s a reflection of lived experience—both choreographers grew up in environments where being hyper-aware of real danger and false alarms became a survival skill. “Growing up in such conditions hones your ability to navigate threat and safety,” says Samar. “That heightened sensitivity shapes how we approach our work.”

But Losing It isn’t just about their personal journeys—it’s also a celebration of Arab identity in contemporary dance. “Contemporary dance is often seen as Western, but every culture has its own forms of contemporary expression,” says Samar. “In our work, we integrate Arabic classical music, language, and culture—not to preserve tradition, but to allow it to evolve.” For the duo, including the Arabic language in performance is an act of recognition and pride, bringing their roots into a global conversation.

Performing Losing It at Alserkal Avenue’s Sima Performing Arts brought an extra layer of interest. “There’s an honesty and freshness in the work presented there—it feels like something is sprouting, with all the possibilities for growth still undefined,” says Samar. Alserkal Avenue has long cultivated its reputation as a hub for creative experimentation, and for Samaa and Samar, the energy of the space only amplified their performance and provided them with a space to express. 

Their artistic journey is equally rooted in collaboration and movement—both literally and metaphorically. Samar, the Artistic Director of YSDT, and Samaa, a versatile director, performer and choreographer, have worked together for over a decade, crafting pieces that merge dance, theatre, and cultural commentary. “We don’t have a permanent home,” says Samar, reflecting on their collective’s dynamic nature. “Instead, we embrace the idea of being rooted in movement.”

Frontiers, much like their work, is about pushing limits and reimagining possibilities. Through partnerships with institutions like Aerowaves, the series has become a space for emerging choreographers to share works that defy categorisation. As Samar puts it, “Art is like opening a door or holding up a mirror—it’s about inspiring reflection, hope, and the ability to dream.” In Losing It, that dream is both deeply personal and undoubtedly universal. It’s about navigating a chaotic world, finding moments of balance, and imagining futures where art becomes a bridge between the past and what’s yet to come.