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ZÜRICH TANZT

«Gentle Unicorn»
Chiara Bersani

PerformanceDance

Subtle choreography about social attributions and voyeuristic gazes.

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  • Sat 17/0520:00–20:45

    Halle Ost

  • Sun 18/0518:00–18:45

    Halle Ost

Copyright: Alice Brazzit

People attribute magical powers and mythical meanings to the unicorn. But what does the unicorn itself have to say? In this solo, Italian choreographer and performer Chiara Bersani gives the unicorn a voice and a story so that it can claim its own place in society. She proclaims: ‘I, Chiara Bersani, 98 cm tall, confess that I am the flesh, muscles and bones of the unicorn. Since I don't know its heart, I will try to give it my breath and my eyes.’ 

«Gentle Unicorn», which is being shown at the Gessnerallee as part of Zürich tanzt, is a subtle choreography about social attributions and voyeuristic gazes. And how to reciprocate or elegantly undermine them.

Information on accessibility and language

The performance is accessible without steps. The performance is not speech-based and is recommended for people aged 8 and over.

Tickets

«Gentle Unicorn» 17. Mai
«Gentle Unicorn» 18. Mai

Day and festival passes ZÜRICH TANZT

All single tickets from ZÜRICH TANZT

Practical Information about the Festival

Plain Language

  • Unicorns are magical animals.

    Many stories are about unicorns.

    But what do unicorns think about themselves?

    The performer Chiara Bersani is 98 centimetres tall.

    And she gives the unicorn a voice.

    And a body.

    The audience looks at her.

    Chiara Bersani looks back.

    The play shows:

    • How do other people look at us?

    • What do they think about us?

    • And how can we deal with this?

About the artist

  • Chiara Bersani is an Italian performer and choreographer. In her internationally touring works, she explores concepts and practices of the «political body» and its interactions with social images and narratives. As an activist, she is committed to the accessibility of the p

    erforming arts for artists with disabilities. «Gentle Unicorn» was selected for Aerowaves Twenty 2019 and was shown at the Venice Biennale, the Reykjavík Dance Festival and the international dance festival Dance Umbrella in London, among others. In 2018 she received the UBU Prize and in 2019 the first prize in the dance category of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. From 2020-2024 she was supported by apap - FEMINIST FUTURES, a project funded by the Creative Europe program of the EU. 

Credits

  • By and with:
    Chiara Bersani
    Sound design:
    F. De Isabella
    Light design:
    Valeria Foti
    Stage technology:
    Valeria Foti
    Dramaturgical advice:
    Luca Poncetta, Gaia Clotilde Chernetih
    Movement coach:
    Marta Ciappina
    Artistic advice:
    Marco D'Agostin
    Make-up:
    Elisa Orlandini
    Production management:
    Eleonora Cavallo
    Administrative Consultant:
    Chiara Fava
    Distribution:
    Giulia Traversi
    Communication:
    Dalila D'Amico
    Production:
    Associazione Culturale Corpoceleste_C.C.00#
    Co-Production:
    Santarcangelo Festival, CSC – Centro per la Scena Contemporanea (Bassano del Grappa)

Supported by

  • Centrale FIES (Dro), Graner (Barcelona), Carrozzerie | N.o.T. (Rom), CapoTrave/Kilowatt (Sansepolcro). ResiDance XL - luoghi e progetti di residenza per creazioni coreografiche azione della Rete Anticorpi XL - Network Giovane Danza D'autore coordinata da L'arboreto - Teatro Dimora di Mondaino

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Art in Times of Crisis

30 September 2026

From Team Gessnerallee

What impact can art have in conflict-affected regions? Since the 2024/25 season, the artasfoundation’s series of talks at the Gessnerallee has been bringing together artists and researchers to discuss the possibilities and conditions of artistic practice. Weekly letter #95 Read

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