Danijela Zajc: Forest

The trilogy was developed by the author’s first performance Threads, in 2019, continued with the performance Treshold, in 2021, and concludes with performance Forest.
The author deals with the "engine" of social change i.e. non violent radicalization, and the position of the individual within society, focusing on the position of women. She questions the relationship between individualization and collectivization of society, deals with the dynamics between social and personal crises and looks for parallels between the individuum and society.
Performance takes one of the eco-feminist aspects, mainly from one's own position and placement in the social context. The Forest will deal with one's own position in a majority still patriarchal, neo-capitalist consumer society. The purpose and goal will be to show today's social functioning, i.e. a systemic capitalist system doomed to self-destruction. And the absurdity of this situation, in which the major part of society is aware of it, nevertheless does not require radical change (movie Don’t look up is a good synonym for this situation).

In addition to the author, 5 performing dancers/performers and two life musicians are part of the performance.

The title of the project “Forest” seeks symbolic parallels with the importance of preserving trees and forests. According to some data, this is even more important than reducing fossil fuels.
The author started developing the project in 2022 in Timisoara (Romania) where she worked with 7 local women performers and dancers and presented Forest - work in progress. In august/september 2023 Danijela worked on solo parts of the project in Circus Residential Network in Rijeka. Research was focused on how waste materials – waste PVC plastic could be used combined in aerial acrobatics. The residence and work in progress presentation was part of the Periskop festival organised by Prostor Plus Association. The show was presented to the public for the first time in November 2024, Ljubljana, Španski Borci. Since then the show has been touring with the support of Perform Europe in Croatia, Slovakia, Romania and Czech Republic.