Attention moves us. An interview with Meg Stuart

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34619/kv1c-q0ut

Keywords:

public improvisations, performance, choreography, attention

Abstract

In this interview, choreographer Meg Stuart explores issues related to improvisation as both process and public performance. Stuart shares the motivations behind public improvisation projects such as Crash Landing (1996–1999). Improvisational practices, rhythms, and shifts in attention also appear in her work with video as a medium.



Author Biography

Sílvia Pinto Coelho, NOVA University of Lisbon, School of Social Sciences and Humanities. ICNOVA — Portugal

A multidisciplinary artist specialised in dance and a researcher at ICNOVA-UNL, Sílvia Pinto Coelho holds a PhD degree in Communication Sciences (FCSH-UNL), a degree in Anthropology (FCSH-UNL) and a Bachelor’s degree in Dance (ESD-IPL). She has been working professionally as a choreographer and dancer since 1996, having produced, choreographed and participated in research projects, live performances and films with artists from various disciplines.



References

Coelho, Sílvia Pinto. 2020. Procrastination Marathon (in other terms). Lisboa, ICNOVA and Teatro do Bairro Alto. see: https://procrastinationschool.fcsh.unl.pt/maratona-2020.html. (last watched 8th July 2026)

Coelho, Sílvia Pinto. 2022. “Mark Tompkins at the Procrastination Marathon (in other terms): Interview by Sílvia Pinto Coelho”. CQ Unbound, Contact Quarterly, Dance and Improvisation journal. see: https://contactquarterly.com/cq/unbound/view/mark-tompkins-at-the-procrastination-marathon#$. (last watched 8th July 2026).

Stuart, Meg. 2010. Are We Here Yet? edited by Jeroen Peeters. Dijon: Les presses du réel.

Stuart, Meg. 2024. Let’s Not Get Used to This Place. edited by Julie de Meester, Astrid Kaminski, and Jeroen Versteele. Brussels: Damaged Goods.

Stuart, Meg. 2004-2011. Auf den Tisch! Improvisation project. Damaged Goods Maasmechelen, Berlin, Ghent, Brussels, Vienna, Salzburg, Lisbon, New York and San Francisco.

Stuart, Meg, Christine de Smedt, and David Hernandez. 1996–1999. Crash Landing Improvisation project. Damaged Goods.

Stuart, Meg, Mark Tompkins, & guests. 23- 29 July 2018. Serious Fun. Live improvisation performance in ImpulzTanz, Vienna International Dance Festival.

Stuart, Meg, and Mark Tompkins. 2016-2023. One Shot Improvisation project.

Tompkins, Mark, and Meg Stuart. 2022. One Shot, dialogues on real time composition. Paris. Edit.l’oeil d’or mémoires & miroirs.

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Published

2026-07-31

How to Cite

Coelho, S. P. (2026). Attention moves us. An interview with Meg Stuart. Revista De Comunicação E Linguagens, (64), 203–215. https://doi.org/10.34619/kv1c-q0ut

Issue

No. 64 (2026): Cadences: Attentional Moves in the Arts and Everyday Life

Section

Interview

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Sílvia Pinto Coelho

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.