André Uerba, born in Lisbon and based in Berlin since 2013. Holds an MA in Arts, Solo/ Dance/ Authorship from HZT Berlin (2015) and develops group projects since 2018. His research is nourished by expanded practices within choreography and bodywork. The focus is on the potentialities of an encounter, slowness, (co)regulation of the nervous system and the concept of rehearsing intimacy in a performative and social container. The aesthetics of his work are a consequence of its ethics, investigating during the process and on-stage, zones of sharing and not of showing. In his choreographic work he investigates meeting spaces where intimacy creates a permeable membrane between audience and performers.
Selected work: “Æffective Choreography” (2022) presented at Radialsystem (Berlin), Halle am Berghain (Berlin), Tanzbiennale Heidelberg, English Theater Berlin, Antwerp Queer Arts Festival; “A hole the size of your touch” (2021) presented in the frame of BoCA - Biennial of Contemporary Arts (Lisbon); “Inviting Moments of Stillness” (2021) developed at Radialsystem; “Pool of Emotions” (2019), an event/ gathering on its 5th edition; “Fire Starter” (2019-2020), developed at Flutgraben Berlin; “Burn Time” (2018), presented in Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Indonesia and Taiwan.
In 2021 Uerba was part of “Re-Think (Accessibility & Sustainable Mobility)”, a one-year program supported by the Swedish Institute and Norrlandsoperan. In 2022/2023 he received the Tanzpraxis Grant (Berlin) and in 2023 he was a grant holder of the Pina Bausch Fellowship, having as a cooperation partner choreographer Diana Niepce, within the frame of “N̶o̶r̶m̶”, a training program for disabled and non-disabled artists.
Among others, he performed in projects from: Tino Sehgal (This is so Contemporary), Bernardo Chatillon (Reindeer Ager), Antonija Livingstone (Male Breast Feeding), Clément Layes (The Eternal Return), Alexandra Pirici (Aggregate), Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa (The Print of Sleep), Miguel Moreira (Se eu não puder dançar esta não é a minha revolução), Carlota Lagido (Monster). From 2012 to 2019 André worked as artistic collaborator, group coordinator and performer with the duo Ana Borralho & João Galante (Atlas, Trigger of Happiness & SexyMF).
Besides creating his own projects, Uerba unfolds his practice into mentoring, dramaturgical support and workshop facilitator within diverse contexts.
In 2023 the workshop “Undisguised Matter” was part of Theater Treffen - International Forum at Martin-Gropius-Bau and part of the “Dance and Mediation” program at Zentrum für Zeitgenössischen Tanz in Cologne.
André holds a training and certification as a Sexological Bodyworker from the Institute for Somatic Learning, Sexuality and Bodywork (Berlin).
𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘 is primarily a creative hub informed by André Uerba and guests, that looks to re-articulate and re-shape ways of thinking and dynamics of inscription of live works. The name SHORT HOPE emerges in 2018 and echoes his constant need on reflecting upon the state of society and its bodies: What is urgent now? How do I feel today?
Short Hope emerges from a personal point of view where the focus is positioned in looking inwards and working upon oneself, as in equal to create a frame to be supportive towards other beings - rather than searching in the material world for something to create a happier life. SHORT HOPE is a remembering note written on the mirror: Hope as a state of mind and an ability to operate for something because it feels vulnerable.