Introduction:
In this Q&A, dancer and podcast host Gemma Asfour opens up about how her two passions—dance and activism—intertwine to shape her work. As the creator of the podcast Society Inspired, Gemma has interviewed fellow dancer activists and explored how creativity often aligns with a drive for social change. Here, she shares her insights on the emotional challenges that inspire her and the profound connection between art and activism in her career.
1. Your journey in dance started early, but was there a defining moment when you knew this was your lifelong passion?
If I am being candid, I cannot pinpoint a defining moment when I knew that dance was my lifelong passion. I have been doing it my entire life and have continued to do it without the thought of stopping. It’s all I have been driven to do, and it also pushed me into the creation field. It is a pretty short answer, but there isn’t much more. I have been following this career path ever since I could walk!
2. You’ve mentioned dystopian aesthetics as an influence. How do you incorporate that into your choreography?
- I incorporate dystopian aesthetics depending on the project type I aim to create. For example, I wanted my first concept video, “Always Forever,” to feel strange to the viewer. I aimed to leave the viewer confused, like, “What was wrong in that video that I can’t put my finger on?” Often, the feeling that I want the project to emulate will come when I map the video out with the music. Not all my projects have had dystopian influences, but I think it is a way to draw people to your work.
3. What role does music play in your creative process, especially when creating concept videos like “Always Forever”?
- Music is the most essential part of the creative process! My concept video “Always Forever” wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t heard it while I was getting my wisdom teeth out. (Long story that you can find on my Instagram.) It took that one specific time for me to listen to this song, which I had heard a million times, and see a whole story out of it. That specific story needed to go with that specific song. I also felt and still do feel eerie and strange when I hear that song, which led me to create with dystopian influences.
4. As someone who finds inspiration in activism, how do you translate real-world issues into your dance performances?
- Being half-Palestinian, I have been involved in activism my whole life. I also translate many things I want to say or my emotions through dancing. My most recent concept video is the song “Hind’s Hall” by Macklemore, and it is the perfect example of taking real-world issues and translating them into my art. As someone who uses dance to calm my mind and find the correct words that don’t come when I am upset at the world, using dance to translate those feelings is my best outlet.
5. You’ve balanced choreographing, training, and even hosting a podcast. How do you manage to juggle all these creative outlets?
- It is a lot, but I find time for everything. I am in college now, and that is my priority. I have a structured training program, which helps me with consistency and feeling set in my schedule. I am also an actress, so acting classes are structured into my schedule. When I get free time, I prioritize using that time to create and fulfill my own projects. Whether that is my dance concept videos or my podcast, “Society Inspired.” But I try not to overwork myself and also use my free time to hang out with friends or do hobbies like reading.
6. Your podcast “Society Inspired” tackles thought-provoking topics. How does your work on the podcast influence your dance and vice versa?
- My podcast “Society Inspired” has definitely inspired some of my dance career. As previously stated, my second concept video, “Hind’s Hall,” is based on a real-world topic that has been going on for the past 76+ years and brings a lot of sadness and frustration to many people’s lives. Running my podcast and then my main career path/outlet as a dancer is bound to intertwine and influence each other’s work. I have interviewed many dancer activists on the podcast and have had many activists who are also dancers in my work! I’ve found that it is usually the true creatives and artists who are also passionate activists in one way or another.
Follow Gemma on Instagram: Gemma Asfour Instagram