«We dare to dream again»

Interview mit Alice Ripoll

The choreographer, dancer, and movement trainer Alice Ripoll is one of the most significant figures in contemporary dance within Brazil. In August 2024, Alice Ripoll will be a guest at Zürcher Theater Spektakel with her latest work «Zona Franca», that she created together with Companhia Suave. Our curator Lea Loeb spoke to her, among other things about the creation of the piece in an exciting time of transition.  

«Hope is the beginning of everything»

An interview with the Argentinian director Lola Arias

For more than twenty years now, Argentinian director and author Lola Arias has dealt with human experiences and socio-political developments in her plays, films, texts and other art forms. The topics and the development of her works are always based on conversations and experiences with people from all areas of society. For her current community project, Arias has collaborated for years with former Argentinian prisoners.  

«BEING AT THE FOREFRONT OF A MOVEMENT IS VERY LONELY.»

Renata Carvalho in conversation with Jô Osbórnia about the simultaneity of fear and respect on the part of her audience, about the successes and ongoing discrimination against travestis and trans artists in the last few years after the pandemic, and about the research she conducts during her «Manifesto Transpofágico» tours.  

«Storytelling is the mother of theatre»

Storyteller Wangari Grace and musician Sven Kacirek in conversation with the writer Ann Mbuti, about the difficult background of their play and the power of storytelling.  

«WE ALL EXPERIENCE LOSS»

Interview with Miet Warlop

Miet Warlop’s pieces are funny, and often physically demanding for the performers. The artist, who creates performances and theatre, thinks of them as «metaphorical exorcisms». At the Theater Spektakel, she will show «One Song — Histoire(s) du Théâtre IV» and «After All Springville — Disasters and Amusement Parks». In this conversation with Philipp Hindahl, she speaks about meticulously planned chaos on stage, comedy, and loss.  

THE DISOBEDIENT GAZE

Interview with Charles Heller from Border Forensics

The research agency Border Forensics, which emerged from the research project Forensic Oceanography, uses the means of science, research, architecture, art and – as the name suggests – forensics, to deal with serious violations of human rights; specifically with violence at borders. At the Theater Spektakel, they are presenting an installation with two video investigations. In conversation, Charles Heller, head of the Border Forensics Team, explains the complexity of the investigative work and how it can gain visibility.  

FEAR NEEDN’T PARALYSE YOU

Interview with Silvia Federici

The writings of the renowned feminist theorist, political philosopher, and activist Silvia Federici continue to shape generations of theorists and activists today. At the Zürcher Theater Spektakel she will explore the resistive and creative potential of bodies and describe how they can become starting points for political action. In conversation with Fiona Jeffries, Federici interweaves various reflections into a feminist critique of existing labor and reproduction relations.  

«WHEN WORKING WITH DANCERS, I ASK THEM TO EMPOWER THEMSELVES»

Interview with Robyn Orlin

The South African dancer and choreographer Robyn Orlin slices through discomfort by working through South African apartheid and childhood memories. Her new work, «we wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with colour … we said «bonjour» to satan in 1820 …» will be performed in Zurich. Historian and writer Edna Bonhomme spoke with Orlin about her long and celebrated career, how she worked under apartheid, and the significance of healing.  

CAPITALISM CRITIQUE IS INEVITABLE

Interview with Nicoleta Esinencu

Moldovan director and author Nicoleta Esinencu presents her latest work at this year’s Zürcher Theater Spekakel. The first part of this planned trilogy about the evils of capitalism is wildly funny and entertaining despite the serious subject matter. Author and publisher Sascha Ehlert spoke with Esinencu about modern exploitation, Soviet exoticism and the post-colonial strategies of the West.  

MOUNTAINS AS LIVING ANCESTORS

Interview with Amanda Piña

At the Zürcher Theater Spektakel Amanda Piña presents her work «Mountains in Resistance – The School of Mountains and Water» on a performative walk. In conversation with Paula Thomaka, Piña discusses the relationship between the Andes and the Alps and how we can rebuild and cherish our connection to the mountains.  

FOR A COSMOPOLITICS OF RELATION

How do we get one step closer to a just world? In his essay Malcom Ferdinand combines ecological with decolonial thinking that acknowledges the colonial exploitation of natural resources and enslavement. He outlines the idea of a «bridge of justice» based on three foundations: Full rights for indigenous peoples, reparations and restitution of colonial cultural goods. The idea is to create a «world-ship», a society in which human and non-human beings meet on an equal footing and protect each other. Consciously dealing with a violent past opens the way to a liveable future for the people of today and tomorrow.  

«It is not a case of memory loss – but a loss of language»

Interview with Jelena Jureša

Visual artist Jelena Jureša will show her latest performative work «Aphasia» at Theater Spektakel 2023. Author Anna Froelicher spoke with Jelena Jureša about the genesis of «Aphasia», how its immersive club-like atmosphere encourages a high involvement of the audience and how the traumas of a post-war society return in loops.  

Magazin 2022

To the interviews and essays from last year's «Magazin», among others with Samara Hersch, Ragnar Kjartansson and María Inés Plaza Lazo.