As part of the LLB network, my first residency was in Stockholm at MDT. During this residency, I devoted the first part of my time to the adaptation of my solo Présage, which will be performed this summer in Congo as part of the Kisangani Festival in Kinshasa.

The aim of these reflections was to think about how to address a piece that is usually presented to a predominantly Western audience, and which in a few months' time will be presented and confronted by a completely different audience. Other thoughts that came to mind during the residency were: 

In what ways are racial and racist issues addressed through art outside the West? 

What forms do they take? 

Who are they aimed at? To whom? Etc... 

Being a black and queer person, in a privileged and Western context, putting forward queer reflections and questionings in a context such as the Congo, will perhaps also allow me new reflections, thoughts, visions when it comes to queerness after the exchanges I'll have with the different people I'll meet during this meeting... 

The second part of the residency was spent in the presence of my friend, artist and playwright Clara Delorme! 

Together, we brainstormed on the next potential creation I could make. In a more detailed way, I began by outlining to Clara the various images, imaginings, visions and references I had for this piece, then Clara asked me several questions as a kind of interview to preview and refine my thoughts. Using various large sheets of paper, we also drew several scenographic options to create a sort of mental map on paper. 

So it was very beneficial for me to be accompanied in pushing the thought process further, with specific points of view but coming from someone who knows my work in these details.