Elena Zanzu is an artist and researcher. She has a diploma in Circus Arts Pedagogy from the National Circus School in Montreal (Canada) and a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Bologna (Italy).

Throughout her academic years, she was motivated by her desire to seek knowledge and transformation through philosophical investigation. However, she considers that it was artistic practice that offered her a privileged way of investigating some of the more complex and relevant questions. She considers performance to be an extension of philosophy. In other words, a research method that prioritises the body as a source of knowledge. Therefore, her research is related to what she calls “performance-philosophy”:

She is a lecturer in circus and gender at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and takes part in various research projects concerning the circus and artistic research methodology. She promotes social and political art projects and direct actions, through theatre, music, circus and performance.

She is currently directing a research and creation project called “Manipulaciones”, which explores pain, fear and the crossover points between artistic practices and ethics. The project is supported by the European “From Sea to Sea” programme and by a research and innovation grant from the Office for Supporting Cultural Initiatives (OSIC).

 Presentation updated in September 2019