Through the thickness

New forms of rehabilitation through art and performance

Image by the author

Exploration of walls and separations through movement leading to performance inspired by the prison work by Runforever. Collaboration between Paolo Maccagno and artist/dancers/Feldenkrais teacher Claire Pencak and Merav Israel with the support of Citymoves dance Agency – Aberdeen.

This is an experimental work arising from an encounter at DanceLive Festival 2024 – Aberdeen, where Paolo attended a performance of Fields (Extract) by In the Fields Project (Merav and Claire). The movement taskscape of Fields (Extract) chimed with Paolo’s experimental movement project with prisoners, primarily at HMPG prison in Peterhead, where he works with both running and The Feldenkrais Method. It is the beginning of a conversation through practice to see what new insights might emerge in relation to their common interest on fields of energy/forces, boundaries, separations, walls.

The collaboration between the artists included several workshops during 2025 and one week residency – 2/6 March 2026, at Dance Base Studio – Edinburgh in preparation for participation to Dancelive 2026 – Aberdeen.

As part of Healing Arts Scotland – advocating for improved physical, mental and social health through the arts, Runforever offers practices fostering processes of self-discovery and healing through movement. Together with the Silent Run and the Writers in Residence, Through the thickness is part of Runforever’s commitment in the organization of events inside and outside the prison to give voice to new forms of rehabilitation through art and performance and expand public awareness on prison environment.

See Through the thickness at this link – Through the thickness