Who is Martin Hansen?
I am a choreographer and performer. I work in Europe and Australia in the experimental edge of contemporary dance. I know that sounds niche but its a very exciting space!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Hmmm, on one hand I immediately think of all the ways I could be working harder, smarter, faster etc, but perhaps a more diligent answer is living and working in a more collective way and dismantling those toxic myths around contemporary selfhood along the way.
Who inspires you and why?
I am constantly inspired by so much and so many people, how do I choose? The first person that comes to mind right now is Francesca Albanese. Fearless, intelligent, articulate, selfless, moral truth teller in the face of power counter forces. She really inspires me.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I strongly believe in art. I believe in the power of art to change the world and to change lives, it certainly saved my life a few times over. I would ensure equitable access to art and art making, in the most radical, self affirming way possible, of guaranteeing the possibility to everyone, of thinking themselves, of constructing their reality and self concept, through the fantastical possibilities of art.
Oh, and make housing and healthcare an actual universal right. After living in Germany for 20 years i can confirm it is hands down way better when renters have secure housing and going to the dentist doesn’t break the bank! Keep up the good fight working toward that reality aussie comrades!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I really want to name drop an Australian beach, and don’t get me wrong I love plenty of them but my honest answer is Greece! The Islands! I’ve been to a few and dream of returning. Draw dropping beauty, sumptuous water and yummy saganaki!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I live somehow between Berlin and Melbourne. In Berlin, I take people to the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park, it is a wild, gargantuan emblem, a grave site, a historical gesture stemming from a logic that sits almost outside of what is thinkable today. In Melbourne, I take people to the back beaches of Blairgowrie, where I grew up, where intense beauty and memory collide, to commune with our eternal mother, the ocean.
What are you currently reading?
I usually start the day with an article from one of the journals I subscribe to: like the Berlin Review, Parapraxis, E-flux, Jacobin. This morning I read a fascinating piece by Mika Toyota, Eleni Karamali, Annika Meyer, Biao Xiang on the phenomenon of dying alone in Germany and Japan. I’m also a psych student, so I reading a lot of text book and articles at the moment too, sadly no time for novels right now.
What are you currently listening to?
This Jungian Life – a podcast of calm, insightful analysts discussing various themes and Janet Jackson’s 80’s and 90’s discography, having a bit of a Janet moment tbh… Rhythm Nation anyone? I remember learning the choreography from that video at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in the early 2000’s.
Happiness is?
Hanging out with my chosen family, I feel blessed with strong, loving relationships. Especially I love playing games, singing songs, doing dances, doing magical power moves with my nieces and niblets who bring me so much joy!
What does the future hold for you?
I am busy preparing my new work Frankie which will premiere at Dancehouse as part of the inaugural Australian Dance Biennial. Frankie looks at the topic of grief through the figure of a monster. It’s vulnerable, funny, personable and intimate. I cant wait to share it with Naarm.
Martin will premiere the new solo performance work, Frankie – which will be presented by Dancehouse and RISING, as part of the inaugural Australian Dance Biennale, from 3 – 7 June 2026.
Image: Martin Hansen – photo by Gregory Lorenzutti