Choreographer and artistic researcher Irina Demina (SCARBOD Lab) is currently a resident artist at Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik (ZfK). In this interview she talks about her vision to use body-based formats for knowledge exchange and public engagement with research. In collaboration with the Office for Knowledge Exchange with Society she develops new ways of enhancing engagement with science. The research community is invited to visit the newly activated ‘object lab’ at ZfK and engage in participatory sessions or get inspired by performative talks
Irina Demina, how do you workwhat do you do and what does SCARBOD Lab stand for?
As a choreographer and artistic researcher, my work is driven by a lot of curiosity for transdisciplinary formats that connect embodied artistic practice with scientific inquiry. I understand choreography not just as stage art, but as a method of thinking about and through movement — a strategy for navigating knowledge and uncertainty, and exploring relationships between bodies, spaces, ideas, and time. I call this approach SCARBOD Lab, which is short for Science Art Body.
How can dance and science engage with each other?
My practice revolves around trans- and multidisciplinarity. — I’m curious about what emerges when seemingly unrelated fields cross-pollinate, like, for example, folk dance and AI or dance improvisation and theoretical neuroscience – which are projects I am currently involved in. What fascinates me about the dialogue between dance and science is the chance to explore knowledge not just intellectually, but to experience it with the whole body. Participatory, embodied formats create opportunities to reconnect knowledge with lived experience — inviting people to sense, reflect, and engage with science in a different way.
How can the research community get to know participate in or experience your work?
This invitation to dialogue isn’t limited to specific disciplines, on the contrary, the most exciting things often happen at the most unexpected intersections. We have developed a couple of pilot formats for the object lab at ZfK, which everyone is welcome to take part in – from open movement sessions to performative talks. If you are interested to join one of these events or would like to start an exchange about movement and engagement practices – please contact us at wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de
Photo: (c) Claude Hofer
Current events in the object lab
Open movement sessions: “BODYATION”: First Wednesday of the month on 07.05.25, 04.06.25, 02.07.25 from 09:00 – 10:00
This regular movement session invites the HU community to rethink thinking – engaging your body as an active partner in the research and ideation process.
Performative encounters: “Choreographies of knowledge”: 04./05.07.2025, 17:00 – 19:00
This event aims at fostering transdisciplinary dialogue, where artistic exploration and academic inquiry converge to spark new possibilities and creative collaborations.
All events take place in the object lab of Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik, Campus Nord – Haus 3, Philippstr. 13
We kindly ask you to register your interest: wissensaustausch.hzk@hu-berlin.de
