Open Lab

The question of appropriation comprises the focus of “Re-Act”, the second phase of “Moments. A History of Performance in 10 Acts”, by choreographer and dancer Boris Charmatz and his colleagues from art and theory, Alex Baczynski-Jenkins, Nikolaus Hirsch, Lenio Kaklea, Jan Ritsema, Christine De Smedt, Gerald Siegmund, Burkhard Stangl, and Meg Stuart. They develop strategies and methods for the artistic appropriation and reinterpretation of historical performances displayed in the exhibition. The forms and formats of appropriation are open and evolve over the course of the two week process. The “Open Lab” concludes the second phase of “Moments”.

“The Laboratory as Labor signifies the attempt to maintain the dynamic of the exhibition “Moments. A History of Performance in 10 Acts”. As a rule, the history of the performance is presented with outstanding conviction and in a stable form, which only partially reflects the initial break. The Lab’s artists undertake a search for the tension in the break without thereby returning to its starting point. So as to create an archive of the present displaying all its brilliance, we plan to open a contemporary site that will form the basis for the collective endeavor of confrontation with the exhibited works. Key contemporary artists are invited to install their work in the exhibition and to take part in the film by Ruti Sela, a weighty document by a pioneer which is to be added at the end. All musicians, dancers, dramaturge, and architects, will proceed, each in his own way and according to what moves with regard to the known or unknown moments of our history.” (Boris Charmatz)

As part of a collaborative work with the Badisches Staatstheater, the performance “Moments” will be held on the Studiobühne at the Badisches Staatstheater on the March 31, 2012.