Henriette Blakstad

Art. and manag director for

HenBlakstad Productions

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Artistic Research and Practice.

How, and in what ways, do you proceed, develop, interact, and systemize your work in the processes of collective artforms such as performative art and theatre, when the answer emerges before the question?

This inquiry relates to compositional methods and developments within devising and interdisciplinary theatre.

This question forms the core of Hen Blakstad’s approach to creating new art pieces for stage, site-specific, and immersive theatre.

The following is a conversation with H. Blakstad, reflecting on what triggers, excites, and influences her work at the current moment.

 

 

Part of the Process.

As an independent, interdisciplinary artist in the field of performative art, I engage in discussions and embrace constructive, rigorous conflicts to spark movement and development. I have a relentless curiosity—a desire to investigate, research, and uncover new treasures through collaboration with talented colleagues.

This process involves teamwork and a continuous dialogue with my own thoughts. It requires being both extroverted and introverted in a dynamic mix, playing, and ultimately letting go.

Henriette: Conversations with Myself—a Work-in-Progress.

Theme: Who and Why Art?

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What Captures?

 

The rawness of desperation—how it shapes people. The presence of desperation in appearance, storytelling, physicality, sound, temperature, actions, and intention. The need born from desperation, and the profound significance of that need.

Part of My Toolkit:
The struggle to simplify and distill through endless fragmentation, searching for the essence.

Awareness of:
   •    Stimulation
   •    Manipulation
   •    Relation

Understanding the impact of these elements and working with them intelligently, courageously, and with care.

Composition and Nature: Performative Art Equals Nature.

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Which Frames Do You Navigate Within?

    •    Force, active—even in stillness
   •    Physicality
   •    Visuality
   •    Texture
   •    Text
   •    Sound
   •    Contrasts
   •    Construction
   •    Relation

 

What Connects Me as an Artist to the Audience?

 

Movement through space—shaping it physically with an instrumental awareness that provokes and engages the audience, creating a loop of interaction. A relationship that is both affectionate and manipulative, initiated by the performer.

This relationship emerges through sensitivity, physicality, and the use of space—considering spatial relationships with architecture, materials, objects, and humans. It incorporates sound, tonality, voice, text, light, composition, temperature, and a holistic awareness of the constructed interactive space.

At the zero point, all these elements converge to embrace the story that needs to be told.

 

 

What Resonates as Important?

 

To be bold. To remain independent yet open-hearted. To embrace closeness while respecting distance. To love deeply while protecting oneself. To include, give, and appreciate what flows back.

To be a bird, observing from above, seeing, understanding, and reflecting across layers. To acknowledge the injustices of life. To find beauty in the details. To remain alert to structures unfolding at both micro and macro levels.

The Search for Flow
Flow is found in the interplay of willpower, fantasy, fiction, and realism, released from the subconscious. It requires rest and sleep to stay functional, aware, and receptive.

Flow exists in the present moment, in listening, in touch, in nature, and in interactions. It comes from letting go and moving toward a direction while embracing a blend of experiences. Flow demands openness to both the good and the bad.
 

 

What Fragments Resonate with You Now?

 

Construction—breaking down, digging deep, building roofs, and scaffolding what is, and what shall be. Feeling temperature shifts, engaging with the elements, and offering uncensored love.
 

My Culture.

 

Norsewoman—strength, madness, nature, queer, art, solitude, and interaction.

My Name.

 

Henriette, Hen, Hendi (Regine Victoria Mathilde Blakstad).
 

My History.

 

A hidden truth brought darkness to the surface, giving me the wisdom of pure light from deep within. Obstacles, contrasts, heredity, and environment have shaped my path.

This refined version enhances readability, while maintaining the depth and poetic nature of the original.

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