Talking Objects Lab

We are thrilled to announce the series “UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound” by @talking_objects_lab from May 2026 to February 2027 at Radialsystem. Interdisciplinary perspectives and practitioners from the African continent, the diaspora, and beyond will engage in dialogue with Berlin's dynamic dance scene. The focus is on the social and political dimensions of dance, knowledge systems in music, the body as a living archive, movement as healing, a decolonial perspective on the body and dance, and a critical examination of global dance history. Performances, talks, listening sessions, and workshops transform knowledge into experience and movement. The series opens with none other than Germaine Acogny, an icon of contemporary African dance. In addition to the Berlin premiere of her solo performance "Somewhere at the Beginning" and two workshops with Patrick Acogny and Germaine Acogny, we will also present the Berlin premiere of the documentary "Germaine Acogny – The Essence of Dance". 🔗 Full programme & tickets via link in bio! UNEXPECTED LESSON 1 Opening: Germaine Acogny 📅 24 – 27 05 2026 📷 Hyun Kim #radialsystem #germaineacogny #talkingobjectslab #unexpectedlessons #techniqueacogny

The TALKING OBJECTS ARCHIVE is online! 🎊 Visit the digital platform to explore, research and play. Drawing on objects from the collections of both European and African museums, this digital archive develops strategies for a more expansive understanding of knowledge. The public platform is designed for researchers, artists, and all those interested in decolonial approaches to knowledge production. At its core is the question: “What might knowledge beyond European knowledge systems look like today?” The dynamic digital structure of the TALKING OBJECTS ARCHIVE was developed in collaboration with African Digital Heritage (Nairobi) and the designers from visual intelligence (Berlin). The themes woven into the archive’s framework range from reflections on knowledge, identity, memory, and the imaginary to questions of restitution and reclamation.   The TALKING OBJECTS ARCHIVE is hosted by African Digital Heritage, Nairobi. The TALKING OBJECTS ARCHIVE is funded by the Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien/BKM (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media), the KfW Stiftung, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Goethe-Institut. TALKING OBJECTS ARCHIVE was initiated by Isabel Raabe. Curatorial team: Chao Tayiana Maina, Mahret Ifeoma Kupka, Isabel Raabe, Malick Ndiaye Developed in collaboration with: African Digital Heritage (Nairobi), visual intelligence (Berlin), and the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire/IFAN (Dakar) The digital platform talkingobjectsarchive.org is accessible now! @africadheritage @kfwstiftung @bundeskultur @visual.intelligence @isabelraabe_01 @museeifan @modekoerper

We know you love to buy books and browse libraries as much as we do. To give insight into the curatorial research process of UNEXPECTED LESSONS - Knowledges of Body and Sound we asked Artistic Director @isabelraabe_01 — which books are essential reading for this project? 📚 „Of course, African Dance by Germaine Acogny from 1980 is essential for me—I’ve owned it since 1986, when I was a teenger, and it deeply shaped my development as a dancer. It is a manual of the Technique Germaine Acogny, with texts by Maurice Béjart and a foreword by Léopold Sédar Senghor. Béjart writes that dance is a form of conversation, a language. A more recent reference is Encounters – Embodied Practices, edited by Martha Hincapié Charry, Sandhya Daemgen, Raphael Moussa Hillebrand and Matthias Mohr. It asks what role does the body play in the preservation and transmission of knowledge? And how embodied practices can shape community.“ We will put together a reading room for the project at @radialsystem_berlin — stay tuned! And book your tickets for the radiant opening program around the solo of @germaineacogny via Radialsystem now. 💥

Two weeks to go until the launch of “UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound,” a series curated by @talking_objects_lab . The first part from 24–27 May features Germaine Acogny, an icon of contemporary African dance. At its core is the solo performance “Somewhere at the Beginning” by Germaine Acogny & Mikaël Serre, alongside the documentary “Germaine Acogny – The Essence of Dance” by Greta-Marie Becker. The programme also includes workshops with Patrick and Germaine Acogny, as well as an artist talk with Germaine Acogny following the performance on 26 May. 🔗 Details & tickets via the link in bio! * * * Noch zwei Wochen bis zum Auftakt der Reihe „UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound“. Vom 24. bis 27. Mai präsentieren wir gemeinsam mit dem Forschungsprojekt @talking_objects_lab ein umfassendes Portrait der senegalesischen Tanz-Ikone Germaine Acogny: Im Zentrum stehen die Solo-Performance „Somewhere at the Beginning“ und der Dokumentarfilm „Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes“ von Greta-Marie Becker. Das Rahmenprogramm bilden ein Artist Talk mit der Künstlerin am 26. Mai sowie Workshops mit Germaine Acogny und Patrick Acogny. 🔗 Alle Infos & Tickets bekommt ihr über den Link in unserer Bio! 📅 24 05 2026 12 – 14 h: “Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Patrick Acogny (sold out) 15 – 17 h: “Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Patrick Acogny (sold out) 17 – 19 h: “LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room 📅 25 05 2026 18 – 20.30 h: “LA PALABRE Space“ – Tea, Reading & Resting Room 19 h: “Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny 20.30 h: “Germaine Acogny. Die Essenz des Tanzes“ – Film by Greta-Marie Becker 📅 26 05 2026 18 – 20.30 h: “LA PALABRE Space“– Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions* 19 h: “Somewhere at the Beginning“ – Performance by Germaine Acogny Artist Talk afterwards 📅 27 05 2026 14 – 16 h: „Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance“ – Workshop with Germaine Acogny (at Tanzfabrik Berlin // sold out) 📷 Film stills “Germaine Acogny. Die Essenz des Tanzes“ © CALA FILM

Isabel Raabe @isabelraabe_01 , Artistic Director of UNEXPECTED LESSONS Knowledges of Body and Sound @radialsystem_berlin , sat down with us to talk about her journey and research process leading up to the project—the culmination of year-long interest in the topics! Don‘t miss the opening program of UNEXPECTED LESSONS - Knowledges of Body and Sound from May 24-27 @radialsystem_berlin centered around the solo Somewhere at the Beginning by the eminent Germaine Acogny! @germaineacogny @ecoledessables 👉🏽Find more infos on the website of Radialsystem and the TALKING OBJECTS LAB Blog. Book your tickets via @radialsystem_berlin now.

One month to go til the opening program of UNEXPECTED LESSONS - Knowledges of Body and Sound at @radialsystem_berlin and we can feel the buzz. 🔥 The series kicks off with an opening program from May 24 to 27, 2026, centred around the solo performance “Somewhere At The Beginning” by Germaine Acogny, an icon of African contemporary dance, with workshops, talks, and the Berlin premiere of the documentary film “Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes.” We‘re so excited to welcome you—get your tickets via @radialsystem_berlin now! 🎫 🟡DANCE WORKSHOP with Patrick Acogny
May 24, 2026, 12-2 p.m.
May 24, 2026, 3–5 p.m.
Radialsystem, Berlin   🟣SOMEWHERE AT THE BEGINNING
Performance by Germaine Acogny & Mikaël Serre
May 25 & 26, 2026, 7 p.m.
 🟠GERMAINE ACOGNY – Die Essenz des Tanzes 
Berlin film premiere
May 25, 2026, 8:30 p.m. 
🔵ARTIST TALK with Germaine Acogny, Patrick Acogny, Mansour Ciss Kanakassy, moderated by Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne and Isabel Raabe. May 26, 2026, 8:30 p.m.   🟡DANCE WORKSHOP with Germaine Acogny
May 27, 2026, 2-4 p.m.
Tanzfabrik, Berlin LA PALABRE Space
May 24, 5-7 p.m.
May 26, 6-8:30 p.m.

Tea, Reading & Resting Room with artistic interventions. The program at LA PALABRE Space is curated by Arantxa Ciafrino.   The series is curated by Isabel Raabe (artistic director) and Celina Baljeet Basra (co-curator) and accompanied by Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne. The series UNEXPECTED LESSONS — Knowledges of Body and Sound is funded by the LOTTO Foundation Berlin. In cooperation with the Betty Center for Movement Research in Dance Studies at LMU Munich.

Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes Film von Greta-Marie Becker @___greta___marie 📅 25 05 2026 🕣 20:30 Uhr ✨ Berlin-Premiere ⏱ ca. 90 Minuten Das Screening findet im Rahmen der Reihe „UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound“ des @talking_objects_lab statt, die von Mai 2026 bis Februar 2027 im Radialsystem stattfindet. Autorin und Regisseurin: Greta-Marie Becker Eine Produktion von CALA Film Berlin (Produzentin Martina Haubrich) In Koproduktion mit: Les Films d'Ici, Paris (Produzentin: Charlotte Uzu), Goree Island Cinema, Dakar (Produzent: Yanis Gaye) Kamera: Sophie Maintigneux Schnitt und Dramaturgie: Katja Dringenberg Komposition: Fabrice Bouillon „LaForest” Entwicklung gefördert durch Film- und Medienstiftung NRW Produktion gefördert durch: BKM, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Mini-Traité der FFA und CNC Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film, DFFF Eine Koproduktion mit BR @bayerischer_rundfunk in Zusammenarbeit mit ARTE @arte.tv Verleih: farbfilm verleih * * * ✨ Berlin premiere ⏱ approx. 90 minutes The screening is part of the series “UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound“ by @talking_objects_lab , taking place from May 2026 to February 2027 at Radialsystem. Author and Director: Greta-Marie Becker A Production by: CALA Film Berlin (Producer: Martina Haubrich) In Co-Production with Les Films d'Ici, Paris (Producer: Charlotte Uzu), Goree Island Cinema, Dakar (Producer: Yanis Gaye) Camera: Sophie Maintigneux Editing and Dramaturgy: Katja Dringenberg Composition: Fabrice Bouillon „LaForest” Development funded by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW Production funded by: BKM, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Mini-Traité der FFA and CNC, Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film, DFFF A Co-Production with BR in Zusammenarbeit mit ARTE Distribution: farbfilm verleih 📷 CALA Film #radialsystem #unexpectedlessons #germaineacogny #dieessenzdestanzes

An Artist Talk you should not miss! 💥 Accompagnying the opening weekend and the performance of the wonderful Germaine Acogny on May 26. 👏🏽 UNEXPECTED LESSONS Knowledges of Body and Sound @radialsystem_berlin from May 2026 to February 2027. 🙌🏽 UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound,” explores the plural knowledge of dance, body, and sound. Interdisciplinary perspectives and practitioners from the African continent, the diaspora, and beyond will engage in dialogue with Berlin’s dynamic dance scene.
The focus is on the social and political dimensions of dance, knowledge systems in music, the body as a living archive, movement as healing, a decolonial perspective on the body and dance, and a critical examination of global dance history. Performances, talks, listening sessions, and workshops transform knowledge into experience and movement. 
The series kicks off with an opening program from May 24 to 27, 2026, centred around the solo performance “Somewhere At The Beginning” Germaine Acogny @germaineacogny @ecoledessables an icon of African contemporary dance, with workshops, talks, and the Berlin premiere of the documentary film “Germaine Acogny – Die Essenz des Tanzes.” @germaineacogny_film We can‘t wait! 🔥 Get your tickets via Radialsystem now! Details on their website and the TALKING OBJECTS LAB Blog. The series is curated by Isabel Raabe @isabelraabe_01 (artistic director) and Celina Baljeet Basra @celinabasra (co-curator) and accompanied by Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne @ndeyemarilu   The series UNEXPECTED LESSONS - Knowledges of Body and Sound is funded by the LOTTO-Stiftung Berlin. In cooperation with the Betty Center for Movement Research in Dance Studies at LMU Munich.

Somewhere at the Beginning @germaineacogny & @mikaelserre 📅 25 05 2026 – 19:00 Uhr 📅 26 05 2026 – 19:00 Uhr ✨ Berlin-Premiere ⏱ Ca. 60 Minuten ℹ Mit englischen und deutschen Übertiteln. Im Anschluss an die Vorstellung am 26. Mai findet ein Gespräch mit Germaine Acogny, Patrick Acogny, Mansour Ciss Kanakassy, moderiert von Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne und Isabel Raabe, statt. „Somewhere at the Beginning“ findet im Rahmen der Reihe „UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound“ des @talking_objects_lab statt, die von Mai 2026 bis Februar 2027 im Radialsystem stattfindet. 🔗 Alle Infos und Tickets via Link in Bio! * * * ✨ Berlin premiere ⏱ Approx. 60 minutes ℹ With English and German surtitles Following the performance on 26 May, there will be a talk with Germaine Acogny, Patrick Acogny, Mansour Ciss Kanakassy, Prof. Dr. Mariama Diagne, and Isabel Raabe “Somewhere at the Beginning” is part of the series “UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound“ by @talking_objects_lab , taking place from May 2026 to February 2027 at Radialsystem. 🔗 Details and tickets via link in bio! 📷 Thomas Dorn

Happy to introduce the curatorial team of UNEXPECTED LESSONS - Knowledges of Body and Sound unfolding at @radialsystem_berlin from May 26 - Feb 27 — their curatorial approaches reflect the spectrum of practices coalescing in the project. Stay tuned for insights into the curatorial process! 🟡Artistic Director Isabel Raabe is a curator based in Berlin. She is trained as a dancer and later studied cultural management. Isabel is interested in decolonial curatorial and artistic strategies that deconstruct Western perspectives. 2015 she initiated the RomArchive – Digital Archive of the Roma, which won several prizes. Since 2019, Isabel has been running the artistic research project TALKING OBJECTS - Decolonizing Knowledge, exploring plural knowledge systems and practices beyond the Eurocentric canon, together with a curatorial team from Senegal, Kenya and Germany, consisting of performances, artist residencies, exhibitions and a digital archive. She is currently the artistic director of the UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound series and curates exhibitions in Cairo and Berlin. 2024 she was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon for her work.   🟣Co-Curator Celina Baljeet Basra is a writer, curator and art historian, based in Berlin. Celina graduated in Art History in a Global Context and worked with 10th Berlin Biennale and Spore Initiative, amongst others. She was the curator of Galerie im Turm, Berlin, co-founded the curatorial collective The Department of Love, and has been part of the TALKING OBJECTS LAB team since 2020. Her first novel HAPPY was published in 2023.    🟠Academic Advisor Mariama Diagne is a dance scholar and, since 2024, Professor of Dance Studies and Performance at Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität Munich. With a poetological approach and re‑readings of cultural history, she examines the practices of diasporic writing situated in the tension between the canon and the contemporary presence of the (performing) arts and their social embeddedness. At LMU, she leads the Emmy Noether Research Group Meer-Menschen zwischen Mythos, Alltag und Nachleben. Tanzwissenschaftliche Perspektiven des Transfluiden (DFG 2025–2031).

Sold out 💜 We’re initiating our program for UNEXPECTED LESSONS — Knowledges of Body and Sound with a dance workshop for a reason: practice lies at the core of every knowledge. 🌀 Extra lucky to welcome the wonderful @pacogny to host a workshop on May 24 @radialsystem_berlin 🙌🏽 Dancer, choreographer, and teacher Patrick Acogny will host a workshop entitled “Contemporary African Dance” as part of the opening of the series UNEXPECTED LESSONS - Knowledges of Body and Sound. Senegalese-French artist Patrick Acogny’s work operates at the interface between contemporary African dance, body work, and contemporary choreography. His powerful and vibrant training is suitable for dancers of all levels. As he puts it himself: “In many African cultures, you don’t start out knowing how to dance. You start out by being there, listening, and entering the circle.” The internationally renowned artist’s workshop is based upon the spine as a source of movement, breath, and polyrhythms, unfolding from a warm-up into small choreographic sequences. The workshop will be accompanied by live music. 👉🏽 Book your ticket now via @radialsystem_berlin — open to dancers of all levels!

Truly an honor that eminent @germaineacogny will host a dance workshop for our opening program of UNEXPECTED LESSONS – Knowledges of Body and Sound on May 27 at @tanzfabrikberlinschule 🔥 We give thanks to Germaine for sharing her knowledge with dance practitioners in Berlin: don‘t miss out on that rate opportunity! 👉🏽 Book your ticket now via @radialsystem_berlin Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance Workshop with Germaine Acogny @tanzfabrikberlinschule May 27, 2026, 14-16.00 h African contemporary dance icon Germaine Acogny is hosting a workshop on “Technique Acogny – Contemporary African Dance” as part of the opening of the UNEXPECTED LESSONS series. Germaine Acogny developed her own technique, which she describes as “African dance in a modern expression.” The spine is central to her work, symbolising the snake, and the tree of life. Many movements are inspired by symbolic images from nature – ranging from the Fromager tree, to the water lily, to the eagle – as well as everyday gestures. ‘Acogny Technique’ is precise, lively and powerful. The workshop will include a warm-up, floor work, and choreographic sequences, inviting dancers with previous experience to rediscover the qualities of their own movements and transform traditional forms into a contemporary and universal dance language. A unique opportunity to experience Germain Acogny in person in Berlin, and learn from her directly. The workshop will be accompanied by live music. Visitor Information Participation The workshop is aimed at dancers with previous experience. Location The workshop takes place at Tanzfabrik Berlin (Möckernstraße 68, 10965 Berlin).