About the project

not knot naught is a live dance work that explores permutation, possibility and limits within a post-contemporary framework. Created and performed by Deanna Peters/Mutable Subject, nkn is created in close collaboration with performers Sevrin Emnacen (experimental b-boy) and Luciana D’Anunciação (performance/visual artist).

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Drawing from postmodern, club and performance art practices, not knot naught is rooted in pattern and spatial negotiation. The choreography is non-narrative, developed through co-devised games and shared choreographic scores that invite emergent, synchronized behaviours. Three bodies trying to move as one. Performing on the edge of not quite remembering. Making complex rhythmic calculations without a computer. Dance as sacred geometry. High-fives as choreographic devices. This work does not seek to explain itself; it practices dance as something apart from identity, story or theme while remaining deeply relational.

Set within a low-tech, DIY environment, nkn is produced by Deanna with support from Odd Meridian Arts and City of Vancouver. Building on research from summer 2023 and creation throughout 2024, we presented our work-to-date at Dance In Vancouver 2024 at Morrow. The premiere was presented in Winnipeg in June 2025 as part of Young Lung's Dance Exchange's 20th Anniversary Festival. Additional support and guidance in the early stages of creation came from Punit Singh and Helen Walkley.

About Deanna

Deanna Peters/Mutable Subject is a dance artist and designer who creates, performs and DIY produces for the stage, club, gallery, web and print. Deanna uses the name 'Mutable Subject' because they’re always moving and evolving in their 22 year career. As a creator of “eye-popping” and “deeply moving” dance works, Deanna’s known for pushing the boundaries of the form.

Recent projects by Deanna include:

• The Enormous Room, a duet for Hustle partner + street dancers Savage & Samuelle [plastic orchid factory: Vancouver, 2021–2024]
• Something between my face and your face is always interesting, a video installation w/ musician Ahmed Khalil [Dazibao gallery: Montréal, 2022]
• Dancers Playing Basketball: Nogojiwanong, a performance installation exploring parallels between dance and sport w/ Katie Lowen [Public Energy: Peterborough, 2022]
• Homing, a dance response to paintings by Fiona Ackerman [Gallery Jones: Vancouver, 2022]
• Charégraphie, a choreography for cars w/ Emma-Kate Guimond + Peter Trosztmer [Salon 58 + Festival FURIES: Marsoui, Québec, 2019–2021]
• Orange, a live online show w/ b.boy lessIZM, DJ Adam 2, James Proudfoot + David B. Smith [Young Lungs Dance Exchange: Winnipeg, plastic orchid factory: Vancouver, 2019–2021]
• When I look at the camera, I’m looking at you, a live performance via video conference w/ musician Ahmed Khalil [Young Lungs Dance Exchange: Winnipeg, Shooting Gallery: Vancouver, Digital Dramaturgy Initiative: nation-wide, plastic orchid factory: Vancouver, 2020–22]
• Pocket, a live-projected performance w/ live videography by Aya Garcia + music by Ahmed Khalil [Yellowhouse Art Centre: Galiano Island, BC, 2020]

It’s all dance: mutablesubject.ca