Introducing a groundbreaking way to cope with grief this summer is artist Annie Frost Nicholson. Rather than relying on helplines or new antidepressants, Nicholson has created the Fandangoe Discoteca, a unique disco where individuals can dance their existential pain away. Designed in vibrant colors inspired by De Stijl and postmodernist architect Ettore Sottsass, this disco kiosk can accommodate up to eight dancers and will make its debut at London’s Canary Wharf before embarking on a tour across the UK and Europe.
In addition to DJ sets, the Fandangoe Discoteca will offer meditation and yoga workshops, dance classes, and “grief raves” where attendees can request tracks that remind them of lost or absent loved ones. Nicholson explains, “It’s a non-traditional way of addressing the complex and universal topic of grief. I aim to provide a unique approach for people to access and explore their emotions without being prescriptive.”
This mini disco is a collaboration between Nicholson and the Loss Project, a social enterprise dedicated to exploring various methods of processing grief. Nicholson’s artistic journey in dealing with grief began after losing most of her family in a helicopter crash in 2011. Overwhelmed by her losses, she was initially unable to create art and worked as a teacher. However, she later developed an alter ego known as the Fandangoe Kid, which allowed her to express and explore her grief through graphic public art. In 2021, Nicholson traveled around the UK with an ice cream van, the Fandangoe Whip, offering therapy workshops and sorbet to the public. During her visit to New York in the summer of 2022, she hosted the first grief rave, discovering how much people desired to process their emotions through dance.
Nicholson reflects on the evolving nature of grief expression, stating, “In recent years, we have seen people eager to share their experiences and discuss grief, particularly after the pandemic. Now, there is a noticeable shift towards wanting to release emotions through movement.” While dance has long been utilized in death rituals across cultures like Māori, Yoruba, and Jamaican, it has been largely absent from traditional British approaches to grief.
Carly Attridge, the founder of the Loss Project, affirms the need for diverse avenues of grief understanding. She explains, “The UK has become more open about grief, but it remains stigmatized. Many individuals have shared stories of being ignored by friends and relatives after a bereavement because people are unsure of what to say. This avoidance can lead to isolation. Through the arts, podcasts, blogs, dance, and even boxing, we can explore the multifaceted nature of grief and foster a greater understanding.”
Emma Warren, author of the acclaimed book “Dance Your Way Home,” emphasizes the significance of dance in the healing process. She recounts the experience of attending a friend’s funeral where, after the ceremony, there was joyful dancing. She observes, “Taking to the dancefloor after such a long and painful day offered hope.” Warren also highlights the undervaluation of dance in British culture, noting its potential to enhance divergent thinking, problem-solving skills, and serve as a space for solidarity and healing.
The Fandangoe Discoteca will not only provide a unique outlet for grief but also serve as a farewell to the Fandangoe Kid. Nicholson has decided to retire this persona, derived from a childhood family nickname, and continue her artistic endeavors under her birth name, Annie Frost Nicholson, incorporating her mother’s maiden name, Frost. She declares, “I introduced the alter ego as a means of navigating the past 12 years and everything I’ve experienced. However, I no longer need to hide. I am no longer afraid of the depths.”
This summer, individuals seeking alternative ways to process grief can find solace and liberation on the dancefloor of the Fandangoe Discoteca. Through creative expression and movement, Nicholson and the Loss Project aim to revolutionize the conversation surrounding grief, encouraging emotional exploration and healing in a non-traditional yet compelling manner.
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