blackmilk is the first part of the trompoppies trilogy by Tiran Willemse. „Trompoppies“ is Afrikaans and describes drum majorettes in uniform.
The performance examines one of the choreographic elements of the formation dances they perform: the precise hand gestures. Fusing trompoppies movements with the melodramatic gestures of white femme starlets and gestures associated with Black masculine rap stars the work explores the distance between images of African and Afro-American male-presenting bodies. blackmilk intervenes into this limiting repertoire of representations using the means of performance and explores a variety of affective bodies in the gray zones of legible identities, opening them up to a complex sensitivity that the artist describes as „black male melancholia“.
Dansehallerne present blackmilk as part of the festival OPENINGS. With the festival, we open up for top-class international performances and strong national talents. For a wide spectrum of dancing bodies: older bodies, smaller bodies, bodies of different shapes and colors. For the iconic and the surprising. For other perspectives. OPENINGS celebrates the joy of dance and makes dance accessible to everyone.
blackmilk and OPENINGS is part of yes – dance biennale 2026.
About
Zürich-based South African dancer and choreographer Tiran Willemse studied at P.A.R.T.S in Brussels and Bern University of the Arts (HKB). His performance-based practice explores the body’s physical and emotional depth using sonic and visual techniques to create somatic and psychological lanscapes beyond the human condition. Tiran has worked and collaborated with choreographers like Trajal Harrell, Jérôme Bel, Wu-Tsang, Ligia Lewis, Meg Stuart, Andros ZinsBrowne, Eszter Salamon and Deborah Hay. In 2022, he won the Prix Suisse de la Performance.
Credits
CONCEPT, ARTISTIC DIRECTION & PERFORMANCE: Tiran Willemse
LIGHT DESIGN: Fudetani Ryoya, Demi Jakob, Max Windisch-Spoerk
MUSIC: Manuel Riegler
PRODUCTION: Paelden Tamnyen, Kelly Tuke
CO-PRODUCTION: Sophiensaele Berlin, Tanzquartier Wien, Gessnerallee Zürich, WP Zimmer Antwerp
RESIDENCIES: Tanzhaus Zürich, Buda Kortrijk, Les Urbaines Lausanne, Impulstanz Vienna, Trauma Bar und Kino Berlin
