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To My Ancestors. Trans-Formations in Space and Time

  • Dan Dansen
  • June 27th and 28th 2025
  • LUCYS Garten / 48 Stunden Neukölln
© Loup Deflandre/Dan Dansen

„To My Ancestors. Trans-Formations in Time and Space“ is a solo-performance by Dan Dansen. The performance is searching ventures a quest for trans ancestry in Europe. It seems as if the history of trans people only begins with the age of Enlightenment and its associated pathologization. But how has trans life looked like before this time? „To My Ancestors“ is looking for answers to these questions. Therefore nonbinary character Kaya creates an invocation ritual for their trans ancestors.

The performance is looking from a nonbinary perspective for traces of people in history who could be read as trans. Queer plants, archival footage of trans history, and images of queer deities and spirits form a video installation that is projected on a nonbinary body.

The original performance took place in the installation of a queer botanical garden inside a gallery space. For the revival Dan Dansen recreates the performance site-sensitive for Lyucs Garden - this time the performance comes to the plants on-site instead.

„To My Ancestors“ is rewriting history. The performance casts a lineage of trans ancestry that has been largely ignored in previous historiography.

 There will be a Q&A afterwards.

Funded by Kulturförderung Dezentrale Kulturarbeit Neukölln in co-operation with TATWERK | Performative Forschung.
Part of 48 Stunden Neukölln.

Logo Kultur Neukölln
Logo 48 Stunden Neukölln
Video preview »To My Ancestors«
Trailer »To My Ancestors. Trans-Formations in Space and Time«

Dates

Friday, June 27th, 2025 | 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 28th 2025 | 9 p.m.

Entrance is free.

Lucys Garten, Lucy-Lameck-Str. 40
Lucys Garten on INSTAGRAM.

More info about 48 Stunden Neukölln here.

Credits

Script, Directing und Performance: Dan Dansen
Music: CNM
Camera video installation: Antonia Pepita Giesler, Dan Dansen
Video- and audio installation: Dan Dansen 

Biography

Dan Dansen is fascinated by the question how to form a chosen family: how can we collectively shape relationships to other human beings and to non-human beings alike? They are a Berlin-based non-binary filmmaker, photographer and visual artist. They also love thinking outside of the box and are devoted to integrate joy as a political strategy. 

Dan works on queer issues and utopian perspectives. Their films have been screened at  Their films have been screened at Uppsala International Short Film Festival, at Bogoshorts – International Short Film Festival, Bogotá and at Hof International Film Festival, amongst others. Their experimental short Survivor Manifesto – The Art of Making Kin premiered at Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival in 2022. 

"To My Ancestors. Trans Formations in Time and Space" is Dans first solo performance. It premiered 2022 as an immersive installation at galerie futura in Berlin. Dan also just finished the film To My Ancestors, which adapts the subject for film.

Dans works have been shown at institutions and at community spaces alike, because they deeply believe in the transformational and community building practice of art. 
www.bikepunkproductions.de