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MOTION
Born in Poland during the transformative end of the Communist era, I grew up immersed in a world of cultural and political change. I hold an MA in Indian Studies, where my fascination with translation led me to explore how the Bible was rendered into Hindi—a language without equivalent Christian concepts. This sparked an enduring curiosity about how we construct meaning across languages, cultures, and within ourselves.
In 2004, I moved to Scotland, spending a significant amount of time in Edinburgh before settling in Glasgow, where I now live with my two children.
Monika Smekot
movement and video artist
MOTION
While exploring distant cultures, I discovered dance—a transformative tool that reshaped my understanding of language. Movement became my study: a form of expression that transcends words, a poetry in motion that connects us to something universal and indefinable.
I have trained in contemporary dance, improvisation, and contact improvisation and Butoh, while also exploring codified forms like Bharatanatyam and Flamenco. My journey has included collaborations with choreographers across Europe, immersing myself in diverse traditions and approaches. I am endlessly fascinated by how cultures, communities, and individuals encode their histories, philosophies, and emotions through the body. What stories does the body tell?
My creative practice includes live performances and teaching movement research for adults. I also lead Contakids classes—a joyful exploration of movement that fosters deeper connections between parents and children.
MEDIA
A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.
Orson Welles
Beyond live performance, I am captivated by another medium of translation: the camera. Working with the frame allows me to manipulate perception, play with selectivity and objectivity, and tap into the wizardry of visual storytelling. This interplay between truth and illusion is a constant source of fascination.
The camera enables me to transform ephemeral moments into lasting visual poetry. In my dance films, I experiment with the conventions of filmmaking, challenging and reshaping its boundaries. I also create video projections for live performances, exploring ways to break free from the frame. By projecting onto unconventional surfaces, I investigate how the moving image can transcend its borders and merge seamlessly with live performance.
Through my work, I invite others to see, move, and feel differently, blending the timeless art of the body with the interpretive lens of modern media.
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