Episode 151 | Between Spirit and Screen: A Conversation with Gabri Christa

Knowbox dance
11 minutes ago
3 min read

#151:In this episode of Dance Behind the Screen, host Martheya sits down with multidisciplinary artist Gabri Christa, whose work moves fluidly between choreography, filmmaking, performance, writing, and education. Born and raised in the Dutch Caribbean, Gabri brings a global and deeply personal perspective to her art, weaving stories of identity, ancestry, and memory that illuminate the intersections of culture, race, and history. Tune in to discover how Gabri Christa builds bridges between the spirit and the screen, inviting us to move through history and imagination with purpose and grace. (39:32)

Chapters

00:00 Gabri Christa

00:45 Introduction to Dance Behind the Screen

01:03 Meet Gabri: A Multidisciplinary Force

01:56 Exploring Identity, Memory, and Ancestry

02:17 Leadership and Intuition in Storytelling

03:34 The Importance of Team Dynamics

08:07 Technology in Filmmaking and Choreography

13:59 The Role of Intuition and Preparation

22:50 Advice for Emerging Dance and Film Artists

30:24 Saying No to the Box and Yes to the Future of Dance

36:22 Flash Four: Quick Insights

37:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Actionable Takeaways with Practical Tips

1. Lead with Intuition and Embodied Awareness

Practical Tip: Before making creative or leadership decisions, take time to move or breathe — let your body’s intelligence inform your choices as much as your logic does.
Quote: “Over the years I just started listening more to my intuition and thinking about how I want things to feel like.” — Gabri Christa

2. Center Personal History in Your Art

Practical Tip: Reflect on your ancestry and lived experiences as valuable creative sources. Consider how your background informs your storytelling and teaching.
Quote: “Much of my work deals with identity, memory, and ancestry — they’re the foundation of how I lead and create.” — Gabri Christa

3. Embrace Storytelling as a Tool for Connection and Healing

Practical Tip: Use story-driven approaches in dance, film, or pedagogy to create empathy and bridge cultural understanding.
Quote: “Storytelling helps us interrogate the past while imagining new futures.” — Gabri Christa

4. Integrate Technology Thoughtfully into Movement Practices

Practical Tip: When experimenting with digital tools, start with why — let the concept or emotional core drive your use of technology, not the other way around.
Quote: “Technology is another layer in the storytelling — not a replacement for the body’s truth.” — Gabri Christa

5. Build Spaces that Foster Community and Collaboration

Practical Tip: Whether it’s a classroom, rehearsal room, or online platform, prioritize creating environments where others feel seen, supported, and inspired to take risks.
Quote: “The Movement Lab became a place for movement, technology, and people to connect — that’s where creativity really lives.” — Gabri Christa

6. Use Art to Navigate Complexity

Practical Tip: Don’t shy away from challenging topics like colonial history, race, or identity. Let your work be a dialogue that invites reflection and growth.
Quote: “My art is both personal and political — it’s a way of understanding where we come from and where we can go.” — Gabri Christa

Bio

Born and raised in the Dutch Caribbean island nation of Curaçao, Gabri Christa is a member of a crossroads culture, and her work expresses the politics and poetics of interchanging races, rhythms, and post-colonial histories. Multi-disciplinary and wide-ranging in form, Gabri’s art-making spans film, choreography, performance, curation, writing, and more.