Portfolio
As a white non-binary queer artist, my work aims to take responsibility for the systematic oppression of my ancestors, while empowering non normative identities.
As both an artist and an activist, I approach identity as an historical archive of psycho-social conflicts. Identity is in my work the dialog between what we were told to be and who we try to be become, between the early indoctrination of values and traditions and the reflection and defiance of those same core beliefs.
In my work, I research artistic, political and theoretical strategies that can hold performers and audiences alike responsible for their oppressive heritage and its manifestations in contemporary society. My autobiographical approach is essential to the way I aim to create an intimate and honest dialogue with the audience, and ensures that my critical thinking derives from a position of empirical knowledge. Ultimately, I investigate the oral and physical blueprints of colonialism, whiteness and patriarchy in my own body and biography.
Performance Making
FLÓBÉR - 2024
Performers: Telmo Branco and Ren Mauney
FLÓBÉR is an activist performance that addresses the symbiotic relation between family and nation states in the proliferation of dictatorial and colonial practices.
This interdisciplinary work explores the concepts of colonial love and internalized oppression through the biographies of two white nonbinary citizens from Portugal and the US.
Funded by the República Portuguesa - Cultura / Direção-Geral das Artes and Comissão Comemorativa 50 anos 25 de Abril; Fundação GDA; and DISTANZEN Solo - Dachverband Tanz Deutschland und NEUSTARTKULTUR.
Currently on Tour
THE UNSPEAKABLE - TRILOGY, 2022/2023
The Unspeakable - Trilogy addressed structural gender and sexual violence through 3 different forms of historical oppression: queer misogyny, religious puritanism, and toxic masculinity. The central themes of this trilogy were the silencing and stigmatization of abuse survivors and the importance of speaking up against normalized violence.
Presentations:
The Unspeakable - Part 1: Acker Stadt Palast and the Hosek Contemporary gallery, Berlin - Germany, 2022.
The Unspeakable - Part 2: Malavoadora, Porto - Portugal, 2022.
The Unspeakable - Part 3: MalaPosta, Lisboa, 2023-; Goethe-Insitut Lisboa, 2023; MAPS Festival, Setubal, 2023; Festival of Theater in Seixal, - Portugal, 2023
Creation, performance and sound design: Telmo Branco.
Assistance: Ren Mauney.
Camera operation: Lúcia Pires, Ren Mauney and Alicja Hoppel.
Photo and video editing: Telmo Branco.
With the support of: Goethe-Institut Lisbon, Largo Residencias and Polo Cultural das Gaivotas.
Funded by: DISTANZEN Solo | Dachverband Tanz Deutschland and NEUSTARTKULTUR
Previous works
THE MARCH - 2022
THE MARCH is an interdisciplinary piece that attempted to rescue the queer body from its carceral colonial existance. For the BIPOC LGBTQ+, it acknowledged the plight colonialism had on their bodies, their minds, and their ancestors, while honoring their right to exist. For the white LGBTQ+, it dived into the colonial heritage that has been transmitted, while acknowledging its forcefully and fatally imposed doctrine of gender and sexuality.
Presentation:
Humboldt Forum, Berlin Germany, 2022
"The March" was performed within the project "Moving the Forum", curated by Jana Luthje.
Concept: Adrian Marie Blount (GodXXX Noirphiles), and Telmo Branco.
Creation and Choreography: Telmo Branco
Sound Design: Adrian Marie Blount
Performers: Selma Radz, Amanda Abergheim, Nana, Mandy lan, Sasha Kills, Bela Belissima, ESRAordínaer *, Stella Spoon, Michelle Gutierrez.
Funded by: Stiftung Humboldt Forum, Berlin.
THE TRADITION - 2020/2021
THE TRADITION is an interdisciplinary piece that tackled patriarchal oppression and the manufacturing of emotional disaffiliation. This work investigated the role of concepts such as stoicism in the development of a culture that celebrates emotional repression and detachment.
Presentations:
Lake Studios, Scope BLN, and Acker Stadt Palast, Berlin Germany, 2020/2021
Creation, Performance and Sound Design: Telmo Branco
Videography and Photography: Rachael Mauney and Telmo Branco
Stage Videography: Alicja Hoppel
In collaboration with: Lake Studios, SCOPE BLN, Acker Stadt Palast, and Fabrik Potsdam- Berlin.
Awards: Air Scope Berlin Award
Film 2020/2021
"The Tradition - The Film" fuses the disciplines of theater, dance, soundscape, and documentary to explore the aftermath of religious and military oppression in Elvas, a small town in Southern Portugal.
The Kingdom
Creation, Photography, Videography, and Performance: Telmo Branco
Camera and Artistic Assistance: Rachael Mauney
Music: Telmo Branco and sound deconstruction of Henry Purcell, and Monks of the Drepung-Loseling Monastery.
With the support of Späth-Arboretum, Berlin.
"The Kingdom" merged out the previous collaborations with D2D Festival and Pépinieres Européenes de Création.
"The Kingdom" is a dance theatre film, that portrays a man's attempt of releasing himself from the ghostly moorings of his father. It dwells on the lingering effects of toxic male parenting in the formation of identity.
The Tradition - The Film, 2021
The Kingdom - 2020
THE TRADITION - THE FILM
Creation: Telmo Branco Performance: Rachael Mauney and Telmo Branco
Camera and Photography: Rachael Mauney
Videography and Editing: Telmo Branco
Music and Sound Design: Marcelo Schmittner
Mastering of the song "Oh Mother / Oh Mãe": Ariel Schlichter
Vocals, Script and Lyrics: Telmo Branco
Interviewed: Sónia Latas, Odete Ortiz, Miguel Branco and Rui Brinquete.
With the support of Acker Stadt Palast and Hošek Contemporary - Berlin.
Honorary mentions
InShadow - Lisbon Screendance Festival - Selection
ROLLOUT Dance Film Festival, Macao- Official Selection.
Honorary mentions
Make art no fear (PT) - Semi-finalist,
MIFA - Madeira International Film Awards (PT),
Multiplié Dance Film (NO)
Europe NOW Film Festival (UK).
Research works
Wavering was an interdisciplinary short piece that approached dysfunctional family dynamics. This performance project investigated the working mechanisms of denial of childhood trauma and its repercussions in adult interpersonal relationships.
Rough Sublime (on wires) is a collage of folkloric themed performance sketches, of a rural man interacting with technological gadgets. It tackled the meeting point of rural isolation and internet access, while exploring the archaich roles of man and women, present in the performer's upbringing.
Wavering - 2018
Rough Sublime (on wires) - 2018
Creation: Telmo Branco
Performers: Rachael Mauney and Telmo Branco
Sound Design: Annelie Andre
Photography: Jochen Nünning
Videography: Andre Keiz
Under the festival "Nah Dran: Extended", curated by Victoria McConnell.
Premier: Lake Studios, Berlin Germany 2018.
Creation: Telmo Branco
Performers: Rachael Mauney and Telmo Branco
Photography: Nicole Michalla and Maria Torrents
Videography: Nobutaka Shomura
Under the festival "Triple the Bill", curated by Marcela Gishe
Premier: Ada Studios, Ufer Studios, Berlin Germany 2018.
Other works (selection) - 2017 onwards
Hire of the artist as an actor, dancer, performer and/or sound designer.
Works by order of appearance (from left to right)
BODY RIOT, 2022 - Creation: Ren Mauney. Role: Performer, sound designer. Photography: Fabiana Piscitelli. Premier: Hosek Contemporary, Berlin, DE.
Amplify 1 and 2, Poetic Sonoplasty, 2021/2022 - Curation: Ren Mauney. Role: Sound Performer. Photography: Ren Mauney. Premier : Hosek Contemporary
MATRILINEAL, 2021/22 - Creation: Ren Mauney. Role: Performer, sound designer. Photography: Alicja Hoppel. Premier: Acker Stadt Palast, Berlin, DE. + tour.
Trequanda, 2020 - Creation: Veronica Riz. Role: Dancer, performer. Photography: Gregor Khuen. Premier: Ex-Masten, Bolzano, IT.
The Intruder, 2019 - Creation: Helena Waldman. Role: Dancer, performer, singer. Photography: themovingpictureartist. Premier: Theater im Pfalzbau, Ludwigshafen, DE + tour.
TRUST, 2018 - Creation: Construst Collective (Malwina Stepien). Role: Dancer, performer. Photography:Michael Theis. Premier: Hellerau, Dresden, DE + tour.
While The Others Go Wild, 2018 - Creation: João Cidade. Role: Actor, dancer, performer. Photography: Manon Santi. Premier: Acker Stadt Palast, Berlin, DE.
STOIC, 2018 - Photography Performance directed by Telmo Branco in collaboration with Rudi Berr and Ren Mauney. Photography: Rudi Berr Studios - Berlin, DE.
Die Zeugen Im Zeughaus, 2017 - Creation: Lea Pitschke and Michael Baumann. Role: Dancer, performer. Photography: Andrej Wawel. Premier: Uferstudios, Berlin, DE.
Aggregation, 2017 - Creation: Alexandra Pirici. Role: Performer, singer. Photography: W Menezes. Premier: N.B.K, Berlin, DE.
SYNTAGMA, 2017 - Creation: Annelie Andre. Role: Actor, dancer, performer. Photography: Stefan Tietz. Premier: Former Willner Brauerei, Berlin DE.
Città del Vaticano, 2016/2027 - Creation: Falk Richter and Nir de Wolff. Role: Actor, dancer, performer. Photography: Matthias Heschl. Premier: Schauspielhaus Vienne, AT + tour.
I was deeply moved, shaken at many levels and also intrigued by your process of making, and your courage in claiming healing as the only way. It is a very powerful, riveting, necessary piece.
(In reference to FLÓBÉR)
Murielle Elizéon, Culture Mill, USA
A profound and deeply impactful work, that left me shaken to the core.
(In reference to The Unspeakable - Part 3)
Julia Klein, Goethe Institut, Portugal
