das Schaufenster

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if|Performance Series
10th - 13th of September 2015 | >> programme and reservations
>> Glashaus ADRIA Wien, 1020, Donaukanal Promenadenweg (near Salztorbrücke) | >> map

Due to a genetic defect the metabolism of people with albinism is hardly capable to produce melanin – a pigment that protects the skin and the eyes against sun exposure and gives them their color. Because of that, especially in tropical areas, persons with albinism are vulnerable to get skin cancer or to go blind. Furthermore, since centuries supernatural powers have been attributed to these white blacks. In East African regions around Lake Victoria they are regarded as
zeru-zeru, as immortal ghosts, as mysterious and bewitched. The stigmatization pushes them outside of society, rendering them invisible in public, although in that region their percentage in the total population is the highest of the world (1 in 1,1000 as opposed to 1 in 20,000 worldwide average).

The human rights organisation Under The Same Sun documented the first killing of a person with albinism in 2006. Until 2015, 140 killings were counted in total, ascending trend. Behind it there is the belief that their body parts bring good luck: white hair weaved into fisher nets increases the fish catch, drinking albino blood raises the joys of love. Special valuable trophies are charms or shoes made out of albino skin. According to reports the attacks accumulated during the last months in Tanzania, there coming elections in autumn 2015 might be a reason: in times of elections the need of lucky charms is especially high among the political candidates. For those who trade with this kind of human material it is a brilliant deal: a complete set of a body is supposed to cost about 70,000 Euro.

Since years scientists have been researching on the constantly increasing believe in witchcraft in post-colonial Africa. Most of them do agree that rapid social changes through globalisation and accompanying impoverishment are the main cause. A bigger part of the African resources is going to the industrialised countries. Disap-pointed hopes on a portion of the wealth revived magic and manhunt, and the trade with occult charms has become a lucrative business. (Sources: Süddeutsche Zeitung, die Zeit)

Based on original quotes from the research material, if traces existential situations of threat, persecution and death. Four singular modules are developed that together create the performance. Different media, spaces and images enter into a dialogue. Hauser, Chris Standfest, Yosi Wanunu and Hannes Wurm take over different positions through various translations, attitudes and assertions and deal in each module with different questions and approaches. They are accompanied by the musicians Sebastian Bauer, Brendan Dougherty, Andreas Hamza (live) and Boris Kopeinig (live).

The performances are framed by an accompanying programme showing the singular modules as a walk-in installation on the 10th of September and a concert with Sir Tralala on the 13th of September, in which the transparency and the border between the real world and art can be experienced in a special way.

if is the first part of the new trilogy please to meet you by das Schaufenster, which focuses on moments of the absurd in the human existence.

Performance Jack Hauser, Chris Standfest, Yosi Wanunu, Hannes Wurm Musik Sebastian Bauer, Brendan Dougherty, Andreas Hamza (live), Boris Kopeinig (live) Konzept, Inszenierung und Raum Hannes Wurm Dramaturgie Chris Standfest Projektleitung Anna Etteldorf Technik Sebastian Bauer Abenddienst Julia Muralter Produktion das Schaufenster Dank an ADRIA Wien mit Unterstützung von Wien Kultur
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