Linn Lindström inspired to offer a space to investigate
Linn Lindström is among the first young and emerging artists to organise her own activities within Compass and is preparing for a workshop tour in Västerbotten and Norrbotten on 20-23 January 2022. Details of the workshops and how you can take part are available here.
Can you tell us a little about what you're working on right now?
Linn Lindström: At the moment I’m busy planning for a workshop-tour together with Hanna Gödl from ilDance. The workshops will be held in the north of Sweden and it’s aimed at dancers aged 15 to 25. Parallel to this, I’m away travelling through the country together with Riksteatern and the piece “xoxo” choreographed by Sebastian Matthias. Xoxo is shown for students in their teens and talks about intimacy, sex and consent. This show has become of great importance to me since offering a broader perspective of what intimacy could be has proven to be necessary.
What inspired you to set up these workshops?
LL: It was when I was first introduced to Compass that I got inspired to organise these workshops. I think it’s brilliant to create a network of young and emerging artists and what truly resonated with me was the idea of creating events and contexts outside of the big cities.
Being someone who grew up in Piteå I’ve seen how there’s a need in smaller cities and societies to hear that there’s actually a future within dancing and creating. There are way too many talents that quit early on and I believe it’s because there’s often not an obvious place to turn to for guidance and with questions. With this workshop I will do my best to meet their needs and offer a space where they can investigate their passion and artistry.
What is your connection to ilDance and your experience with what we do?
LL: My first encounter with ilDance was in 2019. During that summer I was one of the dancers in ilDance’s junior company ilYoung. It was beautiful to meet and develop together with other young artists and it’s been my great fortune to continuously be mentored by both Lee and Israel to this day. I’ve also regularly participated in various workshops and Gaga classes that ilDance administers.
Photo: Johannes Hjorth
What do you hope to get out of the workshops, for yourself and those who participate?
LL: I look at these workshops as an opportunity for myself to develop my own practice and share what has been important for me in my own journey. Teaching is something I’m not very experienced in yet. Therefore I believe that the challenge of describing my ideas and thoughts in a direct way will help me to find clarity in what I do.
For the participants, I first and foremost hope that they will find themselves feeling a bit less like lonely islands trying to figure things out all on their own. Having experienced it myself, there’s nothing greater than feeling like you’re part of something. Together with others, you are simply able to reach another level with your visions and creativity.
Why do you feel an initiative like Compass is important?
LL: I find Compass important in many ways since it’s an initiative with many layers. In the smaller spectrum, it’s about creating possibilities for individuals but forming new networks will hopefully also result in a larger number of productions. Productions that reach the outskirts of Sweden and which do not necessarily depend on the larger institutions.
I figure that will be of great freedom for all freelance artists in Sweden and a great way for young dancers and creators to establish themselves. By offering the Swedish audience a more regular meeting with dance my hopes are also to create a culture where people are being more comfortable and free discussing dance and art.