“I investigate dance and performance from artistic practice, journalism, media and communication, cultural studies and social theory; creating choreographies, and facilitating classes to generate communication spaces in the field of living arts.”

Vanessa Vargas is a Venezuelan, dancer, performer, dance educator, journalist and researcher, based between NYC and Barcelona. Holds a BFA in dance from the Escuela Taller de Danza de Caracas, a BA in Mass Media and journalism from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, an M.A in Mass Media and Social Research from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, and an M.A in performance studies from Tisch School of Arts.

Her dance research shifts between theory and practice, examining dance and performance through her work in journalism, cultural studies, and social theory. As a dance educator, researcher, and scholar, Vanessa has presented talks and lectures and facilitated workshops in the studio to merge theory and practice.

Her choreographic projects have been presented internationally in venues and locations including Festival de Jóvenes Coreógrafos (Caracas) Dixon Place, Triskelion Arts Center, Movement Research at Judson Church, Center for Performance Research, Pioneer Works, and Performance Mix festival (NYC); Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Lima), and Barcelona. In 2018, she was awarded both a scholarship and a residency at La Caldera (Barcelona), as a part of the Barcelona International Dance Exchange.

Vanessa has an extensive history as a dancer in Venezuela. In 2002, she became part of the permanent cast of Taller de Danza de Caracas. In 2007, she joined The National Dance Company of Venezuela and collaborated with other choreographers and dancers in different independent projects in her hometown of Caracas. She has been Based in New York since 2014 and has continued collaborating with choreographers and performing artist for companies including Rastro, Accidental Movement, Douglas Dunn+Dancers, and Christopher Núñez,

She also has been performing for the exhibition “Cecilia Vicuña: Disappeared Quipu” at Brooklyn Museum; and facilitated performances at MoMA for exhibitions and artists including Lygia Clark, James Lee Byars, David Lamelas, Yoko Ono, Haegue Yang, and Simone Forti’s “Dance Constructions” as a part of the exhibition “Judson Dance Theater: The Work Is Never Done”.