CODA Oslo International Dance Festival

Dilemma

Gender and identity

Martine Aurdal in conversation with Esben Ester Pirelli Benestad, Haakon Aars, Kate Pendry and Vanessa van Durme. Gardenia by les ballets C de la B will conclude this year’s CODAfestival. The production provides a starting point for a discussion about gender and identity between individuals who who have experiences in the field, both personally and professionally.

Pirelli Benestad is a doctor and sexologist and one of the best known trans-personalities, Aars is a psychiatrist and sexologist. Performance artist Pendry has done a great deal of research in this field in connection with her artistic work and van Durme went from a life as a male actor over to a life as a female cabaret artist and actress. She is among those responsible for the conception of Gardenia, which has been performed all over the world since its premiere in 2010.