monsters
A dimly lit room filled with vibrant banners, revealing mysterious humanoid creatures, seemingly floating in space, gazing at you - sometimes. A colossal painting, inviting you into a dreamlike landscape with strange figures, lurking in the shades of a deep forest, standing close to one another - calm, powerful and proud. An eerie sound is haunting the air - if you listen closely, you can hear their voices.
And if you are patient enough, you might catch some bodies moving through this strange universe - disturbing and freeing.
In collaboration with performer Patricio Ruiz from Buenos Aires, Lausanne-based painter David Weishaar, composer Tyler Holmes from Los Angeles and Berlin-based sound artist Lou Drago, the performer, choreographer and transdisciplinary artist Valerie Reding creates with monsters an oneiric and compelling multi-sensorial space to share the powerful stories of those that have experienced abuse in interpersonal relationships - stories that are so often silenced in our society. Combining performance, photography, painting, sound and text in an immersive multimedia stage work, monsters fiercely reclaims the monstrosity that is projected on survivors and those who speak up against abuse (of power) and systems of oppression. This eclectic work is an empowering celebration of the liberating power of one‘s voice, resilience, healing, community, care - and love. IIt is also a sensitive and thought-provoking reflection on the figure of the monster and the complex interconnections between interpersonal and societal power relations.
CREDITS
Artistic direction, concept Valerie Reding
Performance, text Patricio Ruiz & Valerie Reding
Photography, costumes, make-up, scenography Valerie Reding
Painting The Heart Is Ours David Weishaar
Soundscape Lou Drago
Music for performance Tyler Holmes, Camilo Ortiz
Costume design for performance WHATISREAL
Dramaturgical advisor Joshua Wicke
People portrayed, texts Aron Smith, Bast Hippocrate, Pauline Canavesio aka BORA, Robyn Iyongo, Salou Sadras, William Cardoso
Lights, scenography Thomas Giger
DJ set Leila Moon
Food Aly Khamees
Facilitator Yuvviki Dioh
Costume assistance Nahuel Mendez
Ceramic objects Kwadrat by Luka Stamenkovic
Production assistance Nico Dubosson
Production & administration REDart
Foto L. Junet
Coproduction Tanzhaus Zürich
Partners and financial support Cassinelli-Vogel-Stiftung, Ernst und Olga Gubler-Hablützel Stiftung, Fondation Émilie Gourd, Fondation Été, Fonds RESPECT by Pink Cross, TGNS - Transgender Network Switzerland & LOS - Lesbenorganisation Schweiz, Grand Studio Bruxelles, Kanton Zürich Kultur, Kultur|lx Arts Council Luxembourg, Migros-Kulturprozent, Ministère de la Culture Luxembourgeois, Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte - Cliché II, Okapi Equipment, Stadt Zürich Kultur, TROIS C-L - Maison Pour La Danse
DATES
6. & 7.12.2024 Premiere at Tanzhaus Zürich
For the trailer click here