November 9, 2009, will mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. While many have forgotten the impact of living with the wall for a quarter of a century, it was a constant reminder of the Cold War and the threat of atomic war. Choreographer Nejla Yatkin was a teenager in Berlin living with the reality of the divided city. She experienced the threat of imminent conflict in the battle between East and West, and saw the world open up when the wall went down. For the first time in decades, people had a chance to communicate, share, move and get to know each other, without feeling the oppressive threat. This event will draw on these observations and experiences, exploring the role that physical and political boundaries play in society.

The event will include a screening and short performance of a contemporary dance piece by Yatkin that reflects, embodies and subverts the interaction between individuals, movement and the emotional impact of barriers. Following the presentation, Carola Weil, Annenberg associate dean for planning and strategic initiatives, will moderate a discussion with Yatkin and Annenberg faculty members Sandy Tolan, Josh Kun and Roberto Suro. They will link the Berlin Wall to other physical borders, such as the U.S.-Mexican border and the fence between Israel and Palestinian territories. While these boundaries can act as national or international assets, they can also act as impediments that restrict the flow of resources, commerce and intellectual property, isolating people and dividing nations.  

For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.edu