Liza Sulaiman

During Welcome To Our Guesthouse #8 Liza will work on her researchproject called The Red turns Dark Blue.

‘Through my work, I strive to bridge the gap to the tragedies inherent in ourselves and the world – the imagery we tend to avoid, the neglected stories, and the suppressed emotions. For this concept, I have drawn from my family's experiences and observations, focusing particularly on the paradox of resilience in the context of war and conflict – how survival can lead to a normalization of suffering and ultimately, dehumanization.'    

The concept of The Red turns Dark Blue delves into the paradox of resilience, particularly in the context of war and conflict, where the necessity for resilience itself is a profound tragedy. It explores how the need to endure hardship can carry both a personal and collective cost, examining the interplay between survival and loss through movement, percussive and electronic music and digital media. 

Ultimately, the concept questions the notion that resilience is inherently positive, revealing its potential to create silent suffering. It invites the audience to reflect on the costs of survival in a harsh reality, emphasizing that true resilience should not come at the expense of one's emotional depth or cultural identity. 

Liza Sulaiman (1994) grew up in Amsterdam within an Iraqi and Belarusian family. At the age of twelve, she began taking hip-hop lessons at Solid Ground Movement and performed in productions by Alida Dors and Bryan Druiventak. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Law (2015), she started the Contemporary Urban Dance program at Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts, where she graduated in Choreography (2021). In the following years, she was supported by Theater DeSingel in Antwerp and ICK Amsterdam and worked on projects in the Netherlands and Belgium. 

Through her work, Liza strives to bridge the gap to the tragedies inherent in ourselves and the world – the imagery we tend to avoid, the neglected stories, and the suppressed emotions. She delves into how we relate to our own bodies and other bodies within an unjust world. Despite grappling with though themes, she is drawn to the nuances of human experience. Balancing on the border of turmoil and stillness, tragedy and comedy, distance and proximity, disconnection and connection, Liza attempts to illuminate and embody both the fragility and strength of the human condition, with a poetic hope to discover harmony within ourselves and with each other. 

CREDITS The Red turns Dark Blue  
Maker / performer Liza Sulaiman 
Dramaturgy Aukje Verhoog, Astrid Klein Haneveld 
Music Ata Gûner 
Scenography Flox Aalberts 
Video design Cris Mollee