Silvia Gribaudi's A Corpo Libero in 180° VR
“A CORPO LIBERO is a glorious and life affirming piece; short in length but big in heart. Everything is pitch perfect. A joy and a gem.”
Ready to let go, laugh, and try something totally unique? Step inside A CORPO LIBERO, an immersive, high-energy 180° VR performance and dance workshop inspired by Silvia Gribaudi’s playful approach to movement.
Silvia Gribaudi’s award-winning solo performance, A CORPO LIBERO, celebrates imperfection and the freedom of being yourself. Filmed live for virtual reality on the streets of Rijeka, Croatia, this vivid 3D experience places you right in front of Silvia as she dances. The event includes an interactive, high-energy movement workshop with a professional workshop leader that takes inspiration from Silvia’s joyful, freeing style. You are invited to let loose, and celebrate your unique way of moving in a warm, welcoming environment.
In A CORPO LIBERO, Silvia Gribaudi playfully challenges ideas about the female body. Through humour and striking physicality, she moves between feelings of awkwardness, strength and self-acceptance.
Her dancing fills both busy streets and empty spaces, embracing curves, softness and individuality. Imperfection becomes something to celebrate. Created for urban spaces, the work is both cheeky and rebellious, a call for freedom led by the body itself. The original live work was Winner of the Giovane Danza D’Autore Veneto award (Italy 2009) Winner of the Giovane Danza D’Autore Veneto audience award (Italy 2009) and has toured internationally.
Silvia’s performance for Virtual Reality was directed by Enya Belak and made possible through a co-production between CoisCéim Dance Theatre (Italy), Croatian Cultural Centre (HKD), Pilot Media (Croatia) and Silivia Gribaudi (Italy). Captured live on the streets of Rijeka, it received its Croatian premiere in April 2026 and Irish premiere at Dublin Dance Festival 2026 in May.
Watch an excerpt of the original stage production.
Upcoming Events
VR & Workshop / Imagine Arts Festival
ST PATRICKS GATEWAY
Waterford, Ireland (map)
21 October 2026
TIME 4pm & 7pm
VR only / Open House Dublin 2026
CoisCeim Dance Theatre
Dublin, Ireland (map)
18 October 2026
TIME 1pm & 2pm
DURATION 15 MIN
TICKETS FREE ENTRANCE
“Gribaudi is endowed with generous curves, a piquant sense of humour, great comic timing and an adorable willingness to throw caution (and the teensy, stretchy frock that causes her so much embarrassment) to the wind.”
“A CORPO LIBERO is a unique antidote to the omnipresent youth glamour market, and Gribaudi is hilarious, self-aware, and all-woman.”
Gallery
Performed at
WHAT TO EXPECT
This event is for adults aged 18+ who want to have fun, dance and try something new. No dance background or previous experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to give it a go.
Participants watch the VR performance by using a sanitised Pico 4k VR headset - you can move your head and choose where you look, just like you would in a theatre - and CoisCéim’s team are there to help so that it fits comfortably. If you wear glasses for reading or astigmatism you may prefer to wear them while wearing the headset.
Please note VR may not be suitable for people who are highly photosensitive.
WHAT TO WEAR: Comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Bare feet or thick socks are perfect (no dance shoes required).
DURATION: approximately 90 minutes
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
BY ENYA BELAK
A CORPO LIBERO is a classic. It has been performed live in various contexts over the years, in front of diverse audiences, always through direct interaction with people, whether spectators or random passengers. When thinking of Silvia Gribaudi, the first thing that comes to mind is humour.
I was particularly interested in the challenge of translating this interaction and humour into the virtual world, where Silvia’s reactions could no longer arise spontaneously in direct dialogue with the audience, but instead had to be carefully choreographed and directed. What is especially powerful in VR is the possibility of working with physical proximity as a principle that can evoke a wide range of reactions and emotions — from awkwardness to laughter, as well as a strong sense of intimacy and connection that each spectator can experience individually from the same position.
Most of what we filmed was carefully planned — including the birds. However, the public remained entirely unpredictable. For the scene with the pigeons, we had to return to the location several times. Originally, the scene was meant to feature seagulls, which were always present there — except when we actually wanted to film. In the end, we decided to work with pigeons instead, who proved to be very cooperative with Silvia Gribaudi.
Similarly to the way Silvia uses time and rhythm in live performance to create connection, tension, and release, we use the rhythm of editing to guide the audience on a journey, following Silvia through various locations in Rijeka. We selected the locations carefully, considering lighting conditions, shadows, sun exposure, ambient atmosphere, and the movement of the public. We then structured the material by searching for the right balance between staged elements and the spontaneity of the public, the surroundings, and Silvia’s responses to them.
This is also what gives the VR experience a sense of liveness: despite its carefully structured framework, it still allowed Silvia space to improvise and preserve spontaneity — something that can be deeply felt and recognised by the beholder.
-ENYA BELAK, MAY 2026
Credits
CHOREOGRAPHER / PERFORMER SILVIA GRIBAUDI
WORKSHOP DESIGN SILVIA GRIBAUDI, ANDREA RAMPAZZO
VR DIRECTOR ENYA BELAK
VR FILMING AND POST-PRODUCTION IGOR CRNKOVIC
VR PRODUCTION MANAGMENT CROATIAN CULTURAL CENTRE (HKD)
VR TECHNICIANS ALEXANDRA ROSENBERG, JOHN WILDGOOSE
WORKSHOP LEADERS ANDEJA BROZOVIC ADZIC-KAPITANOVIC, SIBÉAL DAVITT, MIA DICHIARO, ORAN LEONG
About the Cast and Creative Team
About the Workshop Leaders
PARTNERS
Pilot Media
Pilot Media is a creative studio, based in Rijeka, Croatia, specialising in digital media production; video and TV, cinematography, documentary work, VR, and interactive multimedia experiences.
Our passion lies in blending art, media, and technology—especially within the performing arts and other immersive experiences.
Using possibilities of modern technology we are exploring how to redefine and elevate traditional experiences of art and media. We developed a unique methodology for translating and screening theatre performances in VR, which we continuously develop further with CoisCéim Dance Theatre.
Istituto Italiano di Cultura
The Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin is one of 88 institutions worldwide with the mission of creating a cultural space that is open to artists, intellectuals, and anyone with an interest in Italian language and culture. Our goal is to foster a fruitful dialogue between Italy’s invaluable cultural heritage and the country that hosts us, Ireland. By planting creative seeds, we aim to strengthen synergy and collaboration, ultimately fostering cross-cultural projects.
Every year, thousands of people participate in our events, which include art and music exhibitions, film screenings, meetings with both Italian and Irish artists, and literature gatherings. Our activities are designed to promote Italian culture to Irish audiences, while also allowing us to deepen our understanding of Irish culture and heritage, which we then promote in Italy.
Most events are free and open to an international audience. Each month, we share our upcoming events through a brochure, our website, social media, and a weekly newsletter, making it easy for everyone to stay informed about what's happening at the Institute. Additionally, we offer opportunities to immerse yourself in Italian language and culture through courses, library services, and guidance for those wishing to pursue academic studies in Italy.
With more than 800 students each year and a steadily growing community, our
programs remain a key resource for anyone looking to learn Italian or deepen their understanding of Italian culture. We offer a variety of Italian courses from beginner to advanced levels, with online and in person options.
Dublin Dance Festival
Working locally, nationally, internationally and virtually, Dublin Dance Festival acts as a vital interchange between contemporary dance artists and audiences; creating and sharing extraordinary dance experiences, generating opportunities for artists and deepening engagement with Dance in Ireland.
HKD - Hrvatski kulturni dom na Sušaku
Founded in 2018, HKD is firmly established in the culture of Rijeka. It is a public institution for performing and visual arts, with the tasks of coordinating, preparing and conducting cultural programs in the field of performing and visual arts, artistic creativity and related activities. HKD has always been open for work with the community, through the numerous projects; its space and programs are open to diverse audience and organizers of various cultural programs. HKD is a member of Pan Adria, Aerowaves, EDN and MOST international networks.
Main activities
- organizing annual Port of Dance contemporary dance festival
- international and local collaborations and co-productions throughout the year
- residential programs for the dance artists
- educational programs for dancers and choreographers
- Production centre for virtual reality (VR) project in dance/performing arts
(Springback Ringside project) - promoting dance to young audiences in elementary schools through virtual reality performances and dance workshops in cooperation with CoisCéim Dance Theatre from Ireland and Croatian Ministry of Culture
- fostering inclusivity as one of its fundamental values, through its accessibility as a venue and programs, dance education and activities for people with different physical abilities
- promoting volunteerism through its Volunteering in Culture programme among the organizers of cultural programs and encouraging citizens to actively participate in the implementation and organization of dance programs in the community
- organizing annual meetings and conferences with partners from various networks
Infrastructure
HKD consist of a large hall with 520 seats, where numerous cultural, educational, conference and entertainment programs are held throughout the year, in the field of dance, drama, music, film, multimedia and visual arts. Another presenting venue is the Atrium, which can accommodate up to 200 visitors. This space is mainly intended for concerts, lectures, round tables and smaller scene forms. For exhibition purposes there is a gallery space, Kortil Gallery, with occasional stage programs also being held there. HKD has three rehearsing studios sized from 85 to 95 m2, two of them with dance floors, used by various dance and theatrical local groups, and also for residencies. The building also includes various size changing rooms and offices.
AVAILABLE FOR TOURING
This VR Performance and Dance Workshop Experience is available for touring in Ireland (in English or Irish) and in Croatia (in Croatian or English). Contact us for more details.
Performed at
Open House Dublin 2026
18 October 2026
