Curatorial Statement
Danses au centre
Led by FAIR-E / CCN de Rennes et de Bretagne in partnership with the TNB, UNDER/GROUND returns from 2–17 October 2026 with a new biennial format. Dedicated to hip hop, house, whacking, dancehall and voguing, the festival shines a spotlight on self-taught artists whose practices have long remained on the margins of institutional arts circuits. Bringing together more than 45 events across 20 partner venues in and around Rennes, UNDER/GROUND celebrates the vitality, plurality and creative force of these dance cultures.
At a time when opportunities for presenting live work are becoming increasingly limited, UNDER/GROUND asserts the importance of writing history from practices that have long been pushed to the margins. The festival fully acknowledges the artistic canons developed by choreographers emerging from countercultural movements—voices that now occupy a vital place within the contemporary dance landscape. By building meaningful bridges between grassroots cultures and publicly funded arts institutions, UNDER/GROUND seeks to reshape cultural policy through practice.
From 2024 to 2026: A Biennial Festival
The inaugural edition in 2024 welcomed more than 7,400 audience members and achieved a 94% attendance rate. In 2026, UNDER/GROUND expands across new venues throughout Rennes Métropole and the wider Ille-et-Vilaine area, thanks to a growing network of artistic, cultural and community partners. The move to a biennial format supports this expansion, allowing time to cultivate lasting relationships with venues, artists and local communities.
Situated Practices, Embodied Works
The 2026 edition foregrounds a generation of women, racialised and/or LGBTQIA+ artists whose creative paths have developed outside academic frameworks and established institutions. Beyond presenting finished works, the programme pays particular attention to artistic journeys, creative processes and stories still in the making. Featured artists include Mounia Nassangar, Jenny Victoire Charreton, Mwendwa Marchand, Habibitch, Nadia Gabrieli Kalati, Inès Mauricio, Sandrine Lescourant, Oumrata Konan, Suzanne Degennaro, Paradox-Sal and Linda Hayford.
On Stage and Beyond
Several works will be presented both in theatres and in public spaces, with formats developed alongside the artists to respond to each context, audience and mode of reception.
The festival also presents a series of original evenings co-created with local collectives—including Engrenages, W*ack à Rennes, Ballroom Scene Rennes, Les Ratz and TSIY—embracing a practice of locally rooted collaboration and shared curation. An international research residency will bring together artists from different countries to reflect collectively on their artistic practices and trajectories. Meanwhile, the Open/Ground professional programme creates spaces for dialogue around the conditions of creating, producing and presenting dance forms that emerged from the margins. Workshops and open training sessions will also be offered free of charge.
Crossovers: Building Connections Across the Territory
Four collaborations shape this edition through partnerships with festivals and cultural events taking place across the region. La Criée Centre for Contemporary Art celebrates its 40th anniversary with an Interference(s) event, affirming celebration as a space of resistance. The Maintenant Festival joins UNDER/GROUND for a special evening, Whack to the West, at Salle de la Cité, bringing together long-standing neighbours and collaborators. Marmaille, organised by Lillico, launches a first collaboration dedicated to performances for children and young audiences. Ren’Storming, Brittany’s flagship hip-hop event, connects with UNDER/GROUND through the Jam for Kids and its international battle competition. Together, these collaborations encourage audiences to move between events and contribute to a shared cultural landscape.
UNDER/GROUND 2026 at a Glance
UNDER/GROUND 2026 features more than 45 artistic and professional events, around ten of which are free or open access, including: 16 performances, including 6 new creations; 6 featured formats (battles, club nights and special events); 9 off-site Interference(s); 3 artist carte blanche projects; and 4 crossover collaborations with partner festivals. The programme also includes a participatory performance, 4 Interference(s) projects in schools and healthcare settings, open workshops and training sessions, an international collective research residency, and 4 professional development days.
The programme brings together 24 artists and collectives, including 14 based in Brittany (58%) and 10 from elsewhere in France (42%). The line-up comprises 50% women, 29% men and 21% mixed-gender collectives. UNDER/GROUND is presented in collaboration with 20 partner organisations across three municipalities within Rennes Métropole, with an additional programme hosted by Théâtre de Poche in Hédé-Bazouges.