siirtymätanssi

Siirtymätanssi, a Finnish term often translated as "transition dance" or "liminal dance," is a contemporary dance form that explores the concept of change and movement between states. It is not a codified genre with specific steps or techniques, but rather a conceptual approach to choreography and performance. The focus is on the process of transformation, whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, or social. Dancers embodying siirtymätanssi often engage in movements that are fluid, evolving, and sometimes ambiguous, mirroring the uncertainty and fluidity of transitional periods.

The genesis of siirtymätanssi can be linked to broader trends in contemporary dance that moved away from purely aesthetic or narrative structures towards exploring deeper themes and internal experiences. Choreographers working with this concept might use duration, repetition, or gradual shifts in dynamics to represent the slow unfolding of change. The performance space itself can also become a site of transition, with the dancer's relationship to it shifting throughout the piece. Siirtymätanssi invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of change and the inherent beauty and challenge found in navigating between different phases of life or understanding. It emphasizes the journey over the destination, highlighting the dynamic nature of existence.