VOLKIDÁNA
VolkiDána, is a new spectacle company, founded by spectacle artist and designer Bridget Ní Dhuinn, and contemporary circus artist and director Polina Shapkina. They first met in 2021 through The Performance Corporation’s Creation Artist Residency, led by Joe Mangan. Having collaborated on the immersive promenade show DANU, VolkiDána was later established and selected for Promenade’s Creative Production Support Scheme. Dedicated to creating captivating performances, VolkiDána draws from diverse cross-cultural folklore to immerse audiences in mythical and ritualistic realms through the fusion of contemporary circus, dance, puppetry, costuming, and scenic design. Their aim is to push the boundaries of performing art by delivering enchanting and immersive experiences.
Polina Shapkina is a Russian-born, Irish-reared artist, aerialist, fire performer and emerging director. Her work is often driven by existentialism, psychology and is often interwoven with elements of folkloric and mythological traditions.
Polina has been creating original work in the form of solo works and groups since 2019. She has since co-founded 2 companies: Erebidae Circus ( "Who’s There?” KALI, Triple Goddess, DANU) and VolkiDana- (Bull Of Cooley.)
Polina currently works with companies such as Fidget Feet, Broken Theatre, Pyro Collective and Circus 250 and has presented work across Ireland as well as in India, Thailand and the UK.
Bridget Ní Dhuinn is a designer and maker in the performance arts realm, recognised for her expertise in scenography, character design, large-scale puppetry, and mask making.
After procuring a first-class honours degree in theatre design in Dublin, Bridget embarked on an artistic journey that took her to Taiwan, where she honed her craft in large-scale spectacle creation. Her time there deepened her passion for imaginative world-building and intricate storytelling through design and spectacle.
Bridget’s style blends craftsmanship with boundless creativity, resulting in bespoke, handcrafted pieces. Whether designing captivating masks or constructing large scale puppets, her work transports audiences into fantastical realms of her own making.
Projects
MAKOSH
MAKOSH is a 45-minute experimental aerial theatre and dance piece that takes the audience on a surreal journey through the human psyche. The performance explores themes such as the search for identity, order and chaos, and the integration of the self through aerial movement, dance, and physical theatre.
Credits
Makosh was developed for the Irish Aerial Dance Festival and Scene + Heard.
Supported by The Irish Aerial Creation Center, Fidget Feet Aerial Dance, Cairde Arts Festival, Earagail Arts Festival, ISACS, Fingal Artists Support Scheme, Petit Volant and Circus Factory Cork.
Photo credits: David Hegarty
At Pitch'd Circus and Street Arts Festival
Raiders of Cooley
"Raiders of Cooley" is a high-energy, outdoor spectacle originally commissioned for the closing of Cairde Arts Festival that blends myth and magic into an unforgettable theatrical experience. Featuring intricately designed set pieces and costumes, mesmerizing puppetry, and awe-inspiring fire and aerial performances, this show captivates audiences of all ages. Drawing inspiration from Irish mythology, it reimagines the legendary tale of Queen Maeve
and the epic Cattle Raid of Cooley, bringing to life the drama, intrigue, and grandeur of this ancient saga.
Photo credits: Cian Flynn
At Cairde