Björn Säfsten is a Choreographer, Dancer and Curator based in Stockholm Sweden. 

In the work and practice of choreographer Björn Säfsten, the body and the mind and its connected actions are scrutinized, dissected and exposed. The focus is often to research how different methods of thinking patterns can alter the way we move. The choreography at hand is seen as a result of a dialog between each performers movement heritage and the choreographic proposition. The physical practice exposes images that result from a certain physical action, often attempting to transform it´s possible representations. The work takes visual twists and turns, often moulding itself while being performed, establishing itself anew each time for each audience encounter.

Säfsten creates works In the physical practices, the material is seen as all the things a performer can be aware of, may it be the physical movement, a tactile sensation, an intellectual concept or a pattern of thinking. As different practices develop, Säfsten tries to constantly experiment with shifting materiality that the practice can alter, from body, to voice, text or thinking or all of them combined. His two latest works include Lost Night 2020 and I själva verket 2021. 

Since 2015 Björn Säfsten activates various formats to present the work of other artists within his structure Säfsten Produktion. Säfsten Produktion intends to be a platform for choreographic creation and experimentation. An intertwinement of theory and practice, that manifests itself through artists joining forces in speculation and critical formation within the fields of choreography. It aims to be a platform for experimentation, risk-taking and continuous research. 

After creating several different formats and platforms for presenting other artists, Säfsten Production is now continuously working with the bi-annual festival Within Practice.

Website: bjorn-safsten.com 

EXCHANGE #5
In conversation with Björn Säfsten (Stockholm, Sweden)
Recorded on May 3, 2021

This is an edited version of Joanna and Björn’s hour and a half conversation and includes topics such as: the driving forces behind his work, the infrastructure of support for artists in Sweden, growing up in a politically active and artistic environment, modern vs. contemporary dance, and the geography of Sweden.

*To turn closed captioning on or off, click on the CC icon in the bottom right corner of the video.

Below is the raw movement exchange relayed from Alain to Björn. You will see Alain doing his original movement and then you will see both of them doing Alain’s movement, which Björn learned. Björn will add onto this and that movement will be passed onto Megumi Kokuba in Toronto, Canada.

Below is the raw movement exchange relayed from Björn to Megumi. You will see Björn doing his original movement and then you will see both of them doing Björn’s movement, which Megumi learned. Megumi will add onto this and that movement will be passed onto Milka Djordjevich in Los Angeles, California.

Photos by Chrisander Brun and Klara G

This project is commissioned in part by the American Dance Festival (ADF).

Logo design by Chris Cherry