Re-Garde: Where contemporary dance meets the reflection of identity in Bengaluru

Contemporary dance takes an intriguing cross-cultural turn this week as Re-Garde, an Italian–French collaboration, arrives in Bengaluru. Presented by Italian choreographer and dancer Francesco Colaleo and French choreographer and dancer Maxime Freixas (Cie MF), the performance promises an evocative exploration of how we perceive ourselves, others and the world around us.

Re-Garde dance performance in Bengaluru explores identity

At the heart of Re-Garde is the mirror—not simply as a physical object, but as a metaphor for identity, perception and connection. Through movement, gesture and shifting physical relationships, the performers navigate the delicate space between youth and old age, control and surrender, revealing how our understanding of the self can change when viewed through another’s eyes.

The work draws audiences into a world where reflections become more than images. They can distort, challenge and sometimes reveal what remains hidden. Colaleo and Freixas use the language of contemporary dance to examine the ways people look at themselves and at each other, questioning what is real and what is shaped by perception.

The Italian–French collaboration also brings together two distinct artistic sensibilities, creating a dialogue that transcends language and geography. Rather than relying on narrative alone, Re-Garde invites audiences to interpret its physical vocabulary and discover their own meanings within the performance.

Presented with the support of the Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru and the Italian Cultural Institute of New Delhi, and in collaboration with Alliance Française de Bangalore and the Bangalore International Centre, the performance is part of a continuing cultural exchange that brings international contemporary art to Bengaluru.

Re-Garde will be staged on August 27 at 7.30pm at the Alliance Française de Bangalore. Admission is free and open to all, but an RSVP is required. For audiences curious about contemporary dance, this is an opportunity to experience a performance where movement becomes a mirror—and perception becomes part of the art.