Building Conversation presented by Kaaitheater

Conversation without words Building Conversation

26.03.2017

Sharing time, space and words

With Building Conversation, the Dutch theatre maker Lotte van den Berg and the visual artist Daan ’t Sas build a space in which perspectives can be exchanged. They show and run through the conflicts in our society, without smoothing them over or over-radicalising them. Inspired by conversational techniques from a number of different cultures, they raise up the discussion to the status of an artwork. Starting from their fascination for encounters, they build up a repertoire of possibilities for sharing time, space and words.

Conversation without words

Experience what lies at the root of human contact, and how a group can come together in a very direct way. To look at one another without speaking is highly intense. This encounter is based on the annual meeting of Inuit leaders, which is conducted without speaking.

• Lotte van den Berg uses theatre to render relationships between people visible. Rather than being something that one simply views from a distance, her work emphasises life as an activity. Kaaitheater has previously programmed performances of Pleinvrees (Het Theaterfestival 2013), Cold Turkey (2010) and Braakland (2008).

concept, development, realisation Lotte van den Berg & Daan ’t Sas | collaboration Peter Aers, Andreas Bachmair, Ewout Bomert, Bart van Capelle, Antwan Cornelissen, Katja Dreyer, Adelijn van Huis, Floor van Leeuwen, Dennis Molendijk, Jonathan Offereins, Bart van Rosmalen, Floris Siekman, Anneke Tonen, Harmen van Twillert a.o. | image archive Paulien Oltheten | photography Michiel Cotterink | production Third Space | co-production Muncher Kammerspiele | support Fonds Podiumkunsten, SNS Reaalfonds, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten en Fonds 21 | received a Creation aid from IN_SITU network in the frame of the META project funded with support from the European Commission (DGEAC – Culture programme) with coproducers København Internationale Teater and Ctyri dny, Prague, Stichting Terschelllings Oerol Festival.

programmaboekje - programme de salle - evening programme

There's more

Lotte van den Berg

Thinking Together – An Experiment

theatre performance

Varkensmarkt l Rue du Marché aux Porcs

Sat 25.03.17

The American quantum physicist David Bohm takes as his premise the self-regulating way in which a group of people functions. You never think alone, but are always linked to the thinking of others. Thus a discussion is the ideal place in which to research and maintain the patterns of this collective thinking – without a moderator.

Lotte van den Berg

The Agonistic Conversation

theatre performance

Varkensmarkt l Rue du Marché aux Porcs

Sat 25.03.17

How do you facilitate a good discussion between opponents? The Agonistic Conversation was developed as a reaction to the philosopher Chantal Mouffe. She speaks about the importance of conflict in the political arena, and the way in which the Maori deal with conflict within their own community.

Lotte van den Berg

Parliament of Things

theatre

Kaaistudio's

Sat 10.12.16

Inspired by the theory of Bruno Latour and by Aboriginal rituals, you question the relationship between people and things. Is it acceptable for us to speak in the name of things? Or might another relationship conceivably be created, in which we abandon the anthropocentric point of view and see the future from the things’ perspective?

Lotte van den Berg

Time Loop

theatre

Kaaistudio's

Sat 10.12.16

The Indians of Canada’s Great Lakes let go of short-term thinking in order to move amongst the generations that came before them and that will come after them. Are we capable of doing the same thing, rather than taking a decision that solely takes account of its impact on the present?