International Festival of Contemporary Theatre
Programme
Parliament of Things
12 November 17.00, meeting point at Kaņepes Kultūras centrs | Voluntary donation after the show
Not what we say but how we speak, determines the value of our words.
Building Conversation is a collective of artists, all in their own way fascinated by what happens when we talk with each other. Inspired by conversation techniques from all over the world they execute and perform different conversations together with participants in cities all over Europe.
We are used to hearing people speak not only on behalf of themselves but also on behalf of other entities: heaven, the rain forest, animals, the city, and so forth. The Parliament of Things is a theory developed by Bruno Latour that makes a case for the rights of objects. In developing this form of conversation, we want to distance ourselves from anthropocentric thinking, which places man in the centre of the universe, and investigate the relation between ourselves and things. Can we speak on behalf of things? Will this remain a dualistic relation between people and things, or is it conceivable that a different relation will unfold, that we will give ourselves a different place in the universe?
If you want to take part at the Parliament of Things please register at liene@kanepes.lv
About artist
Theatre maker Lotte van den Berg and artist Daan ’t Sas began working on ‘Building Conversation’ in the summer of 2013, inspired by an intense interest in conversational techniques from different cultures and curiosity about how conversation functions as a way of coming together. From the very start, they have approached conversation as a work of art, as a joint creation, a collective improvisation. Inspired by the conversational techniques and rituals a of people from all over the world – such as the Inuits, the Maoris, a quantum physicist and the Occupy movement – and in response to the theories of contemporary philosophers such as Bruno Latour and Chantal Mouffe, they have been building up a repertoire of conversations/performances.
By now, Building Conversation has grown into a collective of artists that approach conversation in the same manner. In the past few years more than 200 conversations have been conducted in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Hungary and elsewhere. Convinced of the power and effect of this concept, the collective continues developing new forms and getting new audiences and partners involved.
Credits
Initial idea: Lotte van den Berg & Daan ’t Sas
Concept, development and realisation: Building Conversation in collaboration with Peter Aerts, Andreas Bachmair, Ewout Bomert, Bart 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
Production: Third Space
12
November
17.00-21.00
Meeting point at Kaņepes Kultūras centrs
Language
In English
Run time
4h
Address
If you want to take part at the Parliament of Things please register at liene@kanepes.lv
Website
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