“In February 2023, fifty people will gather for a two-day performance event…how can I describe the performance…perhaps, between portraiture, protest and something like a prayer. On its simplest level it’s about how we reconnect with ourselves, our bodies and each other.

“I sense this process is not so much a choreography, but rather, a creative action.
Just a moment,
to be in the moment,
for us to see one another,
to see our difference and practice being in that.
Everyone dances for different reasons, fashions come and go and this particular time has its own difficulties and opportunities. My own study seems to be about finding more moments to be my fullest self, about acceptance, about channeling rage, about taking up space, saying the truth and about returning to a body that has changed. I’m considering how everyone is an artist, how this time needs more experiences that bring us into ourselves and to practice being witnessed in that.” Jo Fong

Jo’s creative work reflects the need in these times for people to come together. Her artistic practice is an evolving, collaborative approach which puts ideas around belonging or forming community in the forefront.

How Shall We Begin Again? will involve up to 50 paid collaborators/performers. The process and performance explores and creates experiences of care, listening, embodiment, safe spaces, unburdening, autonomy and agency.

In 2022, Jo was commissioned by Neurolive to lead on the process and performance at Siobhan Davies Studios, she collaborated with  Neurolive directors Matthias Sperling and Guido Orgs. Neurolive is a five year Arts/Science project investigating ideas around liveness. The performance will be recreated as a Wales Millennium Centre Production in Cardiff and at Peterborough’s Key Theatre with Jumped Up Theatre/Moving Roots (Battersea Arts Centre) this year.

The planned performances are designed so anyone can be involved whether  a professional dancer, someone who would like to dance or if you would like to embark on a process that is about relating to your own body.

“What I need might be a sensation, connection, vibration, space, higher ceilings, skipping…part of my joy in being alive, or simply being me, is me in my physicality. My dancing is changing every day, the dance has changed, no doubt everyone’s dance has.” Jo Fong