A DOCUMENTARY PERFORMING ARTS PROJECT
ABOUT MIGRATED HERITAGE
NAVEL
NAVEL
takes the Polish migration experience as its point of departure in order to examine migrated heritage as a cultural and embodied phenomenon within a European context, where internal forms of discrimination are rarely addressed.
The project builds upon the artistic research developed in LABELS, Katarzyna Sanak's master's project, while shifting towards a more personal and documentary approach.
Drawing on family history, genealogical research, and encounters with Polish diaspora communities in France, Germany, and Norway, NAVEL explores migration as a continuous part of European history and lived experience.
methodology
Developed through documentary and somatic artistic practice, the project brings together contemporary circus, music, voice, text, and archival material. A central artistic question is how physical risk and aerial movement can communicate forms of memory and heritage that words alone cannot express.
title
The title refers to the NAVEL as a universal symbol of origin and connection, a shared mark that precedes cultural, social, and political divisions.
NAVEL is currently in pre-development as a solo interdisciplinary performance by Katarzyna Sanak, created in collaboration with a Norwegian-French-Polish artistic team.
Artistic Team
Katarzyna Sanak (PL/NO/FR) – performer, writer, lead artist, co-director
Compagnie à trois branches (FR) – dramaturgical guidance, co-direction
Magdalena Pamuła (PL) – dramaturgy (text and music), co-direction
Jon Jesper Halle (NO) – dramaturgical guidance (text)
Louis Poisot (FR) – musical composition, sound design
Johanna Øyno (NO) – lighting design
Anetta Sanak (PL) – scenography and costume design
Patrycja Glaz (PL) – genealogical consultancy (text development)
Collaborators:
Association Anjou Pologne (France)
Oświęcim Cultural Centre (Poland)
Seanse – senter for kunstproduksjon
Norsk Skuespillerforbund (pre-project – text)
Kulturrådet Norway - Statens kunstnerstipend
Partnerships in development:
Geschäftsstelle der Polonia in Berlin (Germany)
Den polske klubben i Norge Polonia (Norway)
FFUK (Norway)
International Youth Meeting Centre in Oświęcim/Auschwitz (Poland)