Anouk Kruithof, a revered artist, is captivated by dance as a form of self-expression and empowerment. Her exploration delves into how dance has evolved throughout history as a pivotal component of our global media culture, and how it manifests itself online through social media platforms. Alongside a team of 52 researchers from around the world, Anouk meticulously gathered over 8,800 dance videos from YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Each researcher entered identical search terms, and their geographical diversity resulted in varying search results – from the abakúa of Cuba and the Argentine tango to Zimbabwean sungura and the German zwiefacher.
In total, Anouk and her team discovered 1,000 dance styles in 196 countries and handpicked around 250 hours of dance videos. Through her video installation Universal Tongue, Kruithof masterfully showcases dance as a universal language, spoken by diverse subcultures, spreading virally and transcending cultural barriers.
“When you look past all cultural differences, you see that everyone genuinely derives so much energy from dancing with their bodies. It is a unifying force for humanity, and I find it truly beautiful.” – Anouk Kruithof
www.ftn-books.com has the THE DAILY EXHAUSTION publication now available.
