About the work, Bodies in Urban Spaces Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner explains: "I want to show how far we’re anonymous in our cities, the extent to which the economic dimension has devastated the human dimension. I want to pursue a reflection concerning the urban space. On the structures that limit our possibilities of existence, that restrict our movements." This work is a choreographic and architectural route, that is specific in each city, interpreted by his dance company and that brings together twenty dancers and performers from the cities involved. 

The intervention is ephemeral, transient, conducted in the city’s diversified urban architectural environment. The proposal builds upon the functional structure of the city of Porto in order to discover, in the form of itineraries, the relationship between the dancers’ bodies, the space to be occupied and the existing architecture.

Acting in public and semi-public spaces of the city, Bodies In Urban Spaces invites citizens to experience a temporary journey through their city, committed to reflecting on the restrictions, rules and limits recognized in their daily lives. Residents thus become testimonies of an experience that although it doesn’t leave traces, (because it vanishes once observed), nonetheless remains in their memories, contributing to a critical observation of the city where they live and circulate.

The Willi Dorner Company, founded in 1999, is based in Vienna, Austria. In addition to his choreographies, that have been disseminated internationally Willi Dorner is recognized for implementation of projects that propose new experiences and perceptions to audiences, based on the way that they experience their everyday lives.

Dancers: Ana Pinto, André Mendes, Bruna Martins, Diana Bastos, Francisca Lima, Isabel Vieira, Luísa Pinho, Maria Falcâo, Maria Mata, Mariana Martins, Marta da Cunha, Nuno Mesquita, Olena Pyeskova, Rafaela Silva, Ricardo Pereira, Rita Machado, Rui Coelho, Sara Ribeiro and Tiago Bôto