Aufheben Ensemble is a project based contemporary dance and physical theatre ensemble directed by Isabella Mireles Vik. Founded in 2023, Aufheben is based in Houston, TX and was created as a funnel for Vik’s performance and movement research. The ensemble was created with the intention of  finding the intersections of performance art, choreography and theatre to create avant-garde works that center the human condition and societal struggles.  Aufheben has performed for stage, galleries and impractical spaces, bringing performance to a wide variety of audiences. The ensemble focuses on contemporary movement modalities such as floor work, soft acrobatics and cirque. What differs Aufheben from other dance companies is Vik’s artistic practice which is strongly rooted in body performance art and counter culture. Aufheben practices the following principles; autonomy, camaraderie, experimentation and exploration. Vik’s goal is to nurture an environment of expression that builds up each dancers ability to make choices for themselves to help establish their own artistic practice. In 2024, Aufheben premiered its first project, “Cuidado No God” which ran as an evening length inspired by the literary works of George Bataille. In 2024, the project “Human Resource: Corporeal Experiences in Professionalism” premiered at the Texas Biennial and was awarded the Let Creativity Happen grant that turned “Human Resource" into a dance film. In 2025, “Echo” a durational movement performance piece was presented through Diverseworks, 12 Minutes Max.  Beyond performance projects, Aufheben holds a weekly company class that is open to the dance community and is the only contemporary class of its kind in Houston. Aufheben works to expand dance education and opportunities for both dance enthusiasts and freelance professionals through classes, workshops and performance platforms. In 2024, Vik began “Null or Nothing” a monthly improvisational performance night in collaboration with Paty Lorena Solórzano.