In the residency “Semaphore Dialogues: Signals of Change”,  Marie-Andrée  Robitaille examines the historical semaphore networks in the Baltic Archipelago, using semaphore as a metaphoric entry point to reflect about signs, signals and humans’ ability to move together to engage climatic transitions.

Marie-Andrée explores circus as a kinesthetic mode of transmission and the circus artist as a carrier of signals. Inspired by historical semaphoric devices as well as various messaging and coding systems, the researcher investigates analogue, kinetic signal techniques—using flags made by foil .The reimagined semaphores convey aesthetic information to the population to guide, direct, and move them. The project aims to contribute to the transformation of the narrative around climate changes, foster meaningful responses, develop abilities for moving together while cultivating the emergence of an ethics of movement. The residency “Semaphore Dialogues: Signals of Change” is supported by Intercult and operates in collaboration with Blivande .

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The residency is under the umbrella of Turning the Tide, a European cooperation co-funded by Creative Europe. Turning The Tide (TTT) is dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change through the lens of artistic and cultural practices. It uses a cultural planning methodology and works with socially engaged artists to lead an international experiment that explores the potential contributions of artists and local communities, residents to the climate change narrative, and explores climate justice. The project spans across four European cities, each facing unique challenges related to climate change, particularly in waterfront zones. Partner organisations and countries – Intercult (Sweden), Artit (Greece), Vienna Education Academy (Austria), DEAR HUNTER (Netherlands) and the Urban Culture Institute (Poland) in collaboration with Fablevision (Scotland) and the River//Cities Network.

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Marie-Andrée Robitaille is a multidisciplinary artist, pedagogue, and researcher. She holds a PhD in Fine Arts, specializing in choreography within performative and media-based practices, from Stockholm University of the Arts. Marie-Andree Robitaille currently explores circus arts' epistemic, ontological, and ethical specificities through a Posthuman lens and New Materialist approaches to composition and performance. The project advances a philosophy of circus that highlights circus-specific kinetic, aesthetic and embodied knowledge, situating circus arts as hopeful practices for the future.

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