Institut IDGAF
Founded in 2014 by Samantha Allen and devika wickremesinghe, the Institut IDGAF is an instigation of the institution, a long distance collaboration provocation, creating maximalist dance theater performance, short films, parties and pop-ups, founded on feminist praxis and pranks. Our ethos of fake it, make it, enjoy it- along with a desire to create from a space of imagined institutional support, fake financial backing, and the illusion of international acclaim-created a buoyed confidence amidst the barren sadscape of two femmes wanting to “make work” in the ruins and realities of late stage capitalism. Our practice of working from the inflated confidence of a celebrated Hollywood director, or high art cultural darlings allowed us to dream big, and get high off our own supply. This gonzo, don’t give a fuck bravado allowed us to lean into our directorial impulses, our performance alter-egos, and nurture outrageous ideas that otherwise had no home. Institut IDGAF created and performed works supported by Links Hall (Chicago), Pieter Performance Space and REDCAT, and NAVEL (Los Angeles), AUNTS in partnership with SF MOMA, and countless pop-up performances nationwide.
The Institut goes hard- the Institut dreams big- the Institut never dies.
