La Dame Blanche and the poetry of slow encounters

Photo: Anna Massonnet 

La Dame Blanche is a walking performance by the French company Deraïdenz, unfolding in public space through the presence of a large-scale puppet animated by four performers. Silent, slow, and entirely white, the figure moves through the city as a calm and powerful presence, accompanied by performers whose physical expression oscillates between precision and exaggeration. The result is a striking visual encounter, both simple and unusual, that engages audiences across different contexts. 

Created in 2020, the piece emerged in response to a period marked by isolation and the absence of shared cultural experiences. Conceived as a form adaptable to open-air settings, it offers moments of pause within the flow of everyday life. Through its measured rhythm and minimal language, the performance invites spectators to slow down, observe, and reconnect with a collective sense of presence. 

Designed for flexibility, La Dame Blanche can be presented in a wide range of environments, from festivals to local gatherings and public events. Each presentation is accompanied by workshops exploring puppetry practices, from manipulation to basic construction principles, allowing participants to engage directly with the artistic process. By combining performance and transmission, the project creates accessible and inclusive encounters in public space.