Matter that Moves
Makers Lab 2026
Before your very eyes, pieces of foam rubber come to life. They take on breath, weight, and a character of their own.
During Matter that Moves, you’ll see the familiar foam creations of Duda Paiva and Cat Smits, but performed by a new generation of visual theater artists.
In short performances lasting about 15 to 20 minutes, they depict how hope keeps us moving in uncertain times—without technology or speed, but driven entirely by the human body and the human imagination.
Discover the work of Veronika Zablotska (Ukraine), Tatiana Śpiewak (Poland), and Tijmen Teunissen (the Netherlands), and experience visual theater that moves, amazes, and invites you to see things differently.
After the performance, Cat Smits and Duda Paiva will talk with the creators and the audience—about inspiration, their creative process, and the artistic exploration behind the work.
With the Matter that Moves Makerslab 2026, Duda Paiva Company and De Lieve Vrouw are providing a platform for a new generation of visual theater artists who use foam rubber sculptures as living partners on stage.
The makers
Veronika Zablotska
A multidisciplinary performer, educator, and maker whose practice blends acting, choreography, movement, and vocal expression into a deeply embodied stage presence. Originally from Ukraine, Veronika has trained across performance disciplines and brings a nuanced, hybrid approach to movement and physical narrative, shaped by her experience of displacement and cultural transition. In this trajectory Veronika works on manipulation as ensemble work, together with fellow talents: Sjoerd Eltink and Buket Soydar. The piece was composed by Panos Gklistis.
Tatiana Śpiewak
A dynamic dance and performance artist raised in Warsaw and based in Amsterdam. With a strong foundation in contemporary and interdisciplinary performance practice, Tatiana explores movement beyond conventional dance forms, extending into performance, film, and teaching. Her work often interrogates presence, identity, and embodiment with wit and depth. In this trajectory Tatiana will create a solo work with a Duda Paiva Company puppet.
Tijmen Teunissen
A Rotterdam-based contemporary dancer and maker, trained at ArtEZ University of the Arts. Tijmen has performed widely in both dance and interdisciplinary performance contexts and co-founded Lazy Susan & Co, a dance collective known for its rigorous movement work and inventive collaborations. His practice blends physical precision with conceptual curiosity. In this trajectory Tijmen will create a solo work with a Duda Paiva Company puppet.
Images
