Kat Válastur

Ah! Oh! – A Contemporary Ritual

Part of the retrospective “We were better in the future”

  • Dance
70 min.

Six performers enter a space. It’s dark. They look exactly like you, and yet there is something unfamiliar in their appearance. They want nothing from you, because they are lost in oblivion, and yet they want more to feel. A hand comes out of a pocket searching eagerly for a touch. “Ah! Oh! A contemporary Ritual” is the second piece of the series “The marginal Sculptures of Newtopia”. Similar to the previous work “GLAND”, the bodies are entering an utopian landscape. Inspired by the idea of native rites, “Ah! Oh! A contemporary Ritual” is a reflection on the origins and traditions of circle dances. In a post-apocalyptic atmosphere, six performers recall the memory of dancing together by holding hands. Relating the frowned upon idea of ritualistic circular dances, the choreography reveals fragments of a gesture that shaped our commonality at the annihilation of times.

The retrospective finishes after the second performance of “Ah! Oh! A contemporary Ritual” with an epilogue in the shape of a new short solo (in English): Kat Válastur was better in the future.

Cast

Concept & Choreography: Kat Válastur / Dance: Shahar Levi, Leyla Postalcioglu, Annegret Schalke, Romain Thibaud-Rose, Enrico Ticconi, Maria Zimpel / Light design: Martin Beeretz / Sound: Lambros Pigounis / Costume: Lydia Sonderegger / Costume assistance: Johanna Schraut / Dramaturgy: Thomas Schaupp / Press & Production (creation): björn & björn / Production management: HAU Artist Office / Sabine Seifert / Touring & Distribution: HAU Artist Office / Nicole Schuchardt

By viewing the video you agree that your data will be transmitted to and that you have read the privacy policy .

[Translate to EN:]

Dates

Past
  • Fri 5.12.2014, 20:00 / HAU2
  • Sat 6.12.2014, 20:00 / HAU2
  • Sun 7.12.2014, 17:00 / HAU2
  • Sat 1.4.2017, 20:30 / HAU2
  • Sun 2.4.2017, 19:00 / HAU2

Credits

Production: Kat Válastur. Co production: HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Théâtre de Nîmes, fabrik Potsdam, CDC Uzes Danse supported by ETAPE DANSE, an initiative by Institut Francais Allemagne / Bureau du Théâtre et de la Danse supported by the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication/DGCA, of the SACD and the city of Potsdam. Funded by the Capital Cultural Fund. The re-run of “Ah! Oh! A contemporary Ritual“ is funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe.

The retrospective is supported within the framework of the Alliance of International Production Houses by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Presented in the context of [DNA] Departures and Arrivals with support of the EU cultural programme.

[Translate to EN:]
[Translate to EN:]
[Translate to EN:]

Location

HAU2
Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin

There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Four relaxed seats are available in the first row of HAU2. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can also be booked via the ticketing system. If you need help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email to tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.

HAU3000 / Positions, Projects, Publications

The Glowing Room

Text by Hendrik Otremba.

An Introduction to “Collectivize Facebook”

By Jonas Staal

“Collectivize Facebook” is a lawsuit aimed to turn Facebook into public property, initiated by artist Jonas Staal and lawyer Jan Fermon. Read here Staal’s introduction to the project.

“Manifestos for Queer Futures”

Video Documentation

As part of the festival “The Present Is Not Enough – Performing Queer Histories and Futures”, HAU initiated an open call for artists based in Berlin, who were invited to submit proposals for their Manifestos for Queer Futures.