The Useful Citizen: Disability and Labour

This is a storytelling event and a public discussion. It brings together Aarhus-based disability activists, performers and international academics to present ideas on disability, labour and the functional body in society, and to exchange ideas, stories and experiences with the audience.

The event will open with a storytelling performance by Dr Nicola Clare Grove, who is an English disability researcher and the founder of the British charity “OpenStoryTellers” for people with learning and communication disabilities.

Dr. Nicola Clare Grove investigates the way disability is represented in myths, legends and popular narratives across the world. She will introduce the theme of the event with a presentation of folk tales featuring disabled characters who are working or looking for work.

Nicola will be joined for a public discussion by Mathilde Vendelbo Andersen, Rune Sejr Fjord and Vasilis Galis, PhD. The debate will be hosted by the Greek-British artist Mikhail Karikis.  

Mathilde Vendelbo Andersen is an Aarhus-based music performer (member of the troupe De Splittergale), a body therapist and voice pedagog. She has a BA in Psychology and has herself been in contact with the psychiatric system for many years.

Rune Sejr Fjord is a disability activist at “Sager Der Samler” (“Things That Unite”). He is currently working on a project that aims at breaking down the barrier between people with and without disability.

Vasilis Galis is an Associate Professor in the Technologies in Practice (TIP) group at the IT University of Copenhagen. His current research focuses on disability and social movements and their use of digital media, radical politics, internet activism and lay expertise.

Mikhail Karikis is a Greek-British artist whose video installation “The Chalk Factory” is also exhibited at “O Space”. The installation also focuses on disability and labour and can be experienced for free either before or after the event.

The audience are encouraged to participate.

This event will be in English.