Italian performing artist Chiara Bersani with osteogenesis imperfecta speaks during a press conference for her upcoming performances in Modu Art Theater in Chungjeongno, Seodaemun District, Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Park Jin-hai

Italian performing artist Chiara Bersani, known for redefining the "politics of the body," is making her debut in Korea this week.

Standing at just 98 centimeters tall due to osteogenesis imperfecta, Bersani defies conventions and choreographs, directs and performs in her own creations, reshaping perceptions of disability and performing arts through her bold and thought-provoking works.

Her signature pieces — "Gentle Unicorn," "Sottobosco" (Undergrowth) and "L'Animale" (Animal) — will be staged at the Modu Art Theater, Korea's first performance venue specifically designed for disability arts, in central Seoul from Friday through Dec. 7.

Bersani's journey into performing arts began when she joined a theater workshop at age 19.

"Attending a performing arts school made me realize that I could move beyond my wheelchair. The freedom I felt working and training without it led me to fall deeply in love with performing arts," she said during a press conference at the theater, Thursday.

Over the years, Bersani has continued to create works that challenge traditional perceptions of disability in art.

Her artistry has been recognized internationally, as evidenced by her 2018 Premio Ubu award for Best Performer Under 35 and her 2020 invitation to the Venice Biennale. Matteo Negrin, director of Piedmont dal Vivo Foundation, highly regarded her work, saying, "Chiara's use of dramaturgy and her body is so political, but at the same time, it is very artistic and aesthetic."

Regarding the politics of the body, she noted the body is deeply intertwined with other long-standing philosophical ideas.

"When we look at another person, we first perceive their image. Then, we categorize this image based on our cultural context, often influenced by preconceived notions. In the second stage, we consider the thoughts and emotions that arise from our observation of the person's body. Finally, we analyze the dynamic interaction between the observed and the observer," she said.

The artist believes this creates a twofold responsibility — the responsibility of the viewer and the responsibility of the one being viewed — and she manifests this through her work. "You aren't the one interpreting me," she said. "I'll show you the way to understand me. I take the responsibility to draw the image that the world will have of myself."

Italian performing artist Chiara Bersani performs "Gentle Unicorn." Courtesy of Modu Art Theater

In "Gentle Unicorn," she compares the unicorn, a long-admired imaginary creature that has been stripped of its own voice, to the disabled body. With "Sottobosco," she invites audiences to an imaginary forest of undergrowth and explores the relationship between disability and nature, while she questions what it means to be an animal and a human in "L'Animale," inspired by a dying swan.

Recalling her youth, she said critics often focused solely on the physical form of her body and it frustrated her because it overshadowed her abilities and identity as a performing artist.

"I wanted to be recognized for my professional expertise, not just my appearance. This is why I started using political keywords. I don't think people were trying to be malicious; I believe they simply lacked the vocabulary to discuss my work," Bersani said.

She has worked hard to change this and believes that, in fact, artists with disabilities such as herself and critics are on a journey together.

"In the early 2000s, critics couldn't grasp the unique qualities of my work. They viewed my performances through a lens designed for traditional dance, failing to recognize the distinct techniques and expressions I employed," she said.

"But through ongoing dialogue and collaboration with critics, academics and institutions, I've developed a shared language to appreciate and analyze disabled artists' work. We're now working together to expand this understanding."

Bersani's mission is to push the boundaries of her art.

"I strive to perform in spaces that are both familiar and unfamiliar (to artists with disabilities) to challenge the status quo. As an advocate, I feel compelled to educate others about the power of language and perspective. I speak for those who are often silenced, such as those in nursing homes," the artist said.

In this context, she will engage actively with local artists and students through workshops during her stay in Korea.