Virtual Event An ensemble work choreographed by Aakash Odedra exploring the relevance of a life in conflict, originally commissioned by The Arts Center. Filmed in The Black Box in February 2018 at its world premiere. #JeSuis brings the lens upon a group of dancers whose place in the world is presented by the media as unwanted neighbours, countries where human catastrophes are a daily given. Aakash Odedra developed #JeSuis with a group of Turkish dancers he met in Istanbul. It is inspired by their collective responses to misinterpretations of their motherland by the media. Wrapped up in wider issues of displacement, refuge, and instability, both politically and geographically, it portrays their frustrations of life in a homeland that doesn’t know the meaning of “home” anymore. A place where people continually struggle for a sense of peace. Where freedoms and choices are becoming luxuries. Where the only hope left is to remain safe. The streamed performance will be followed by a live Q&A. Aakash Odedra and members of the company discuss the process and creation of the work. The panel will also answer questions posted by the audience. The development of #JeSuis was the subject of an NYUAD J-term class, How Movement Makes Meaning, taught by Professor Debra Levine, leading to its world premiere.