We Are Many Things: Investigating a sense of shared space and questions of mixed identities in Indaba by Ayla Brinkmann

This artistic research project deals with Indaba, a performance for young audiences. Indaba is an isiZulu word for a meeting or discussion where the right people meet at the right moment to figure out things that concern them. Our performance Indaba explores questions like: How does it feel to be Finnish, or African, or both? How do many identities fit into one person? This artistic research and performance investigate important and underrepresented topics in the Finnish context: a sense of shared space and questions of mixed identities. The research question addresses shared space as follows: “What kind of tools and skills are helpful in creating a sense of shared space in a performative setting?”. The research takes a closer look at a series of five alternating and interconnected indabas and reflection sessions with the performer-trio: Pietari Kauppinen, Kasheshi Makena, and the author of this exposition. This written work also maps out some key conversations and concepts that our indaba and this artistic research connect to, such as third space and intersectionality. The main research findings are a practical tool for establishing a way of sharing space and the importance of the performer's responsibility in making meanings. Relevant skills that emerged from these findings include observation skills such as being alert and sensing what meanings things carry in the context at hand, and proactive skills such as the ability to respond in the moment.

Contents

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Research aim and questions

1.2 Researcher position: Where do I stand? Where do we stand?

2 RESEARCH DESIGN

2.1 Artistic research approach

2.2 Artistic research design

2.3 Ethical considerations

3 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 Investigating shared space

… indaba

… third space

3.2 Investigating questions of mixed identities

… intersectionality

… borderlands

… third culture kid

3.3 In practice: Each person as a universe

4 FINDINGS FROM PERFORMING OUR INDABA

4.1 A tool called “wooo” - establishing a way of sharing space

4.2 The responsibility of the performer in making meanings

4.3 Discussion

5 CONCLUSION

References

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Ayla Brinkmann - We Are Many Things: Investigating a sense of shared space and questions of mixed identities in Indaba - 2025