THE SPACE SINGS

Der Raum singt (The space sings) sheds with ambiguity light on the colonial history of the Dutch in South Africa (and in a broader perspective the Europeans in Africa), on the current refugees fleeing from Africa to Europe and on international mobility. Der Raum singt is not a scientific work which follows a systematics, but is a kind of subjective journey, lingering over the need for roots and the question what moves us. Der Raum singt is a choreographic installation comprising of the display of an arrangement of still images, a simple play of colours and light, music and a choreography for one dancer. The installation presents a cycle of 60 minutes which is repeated once. The audience is free to enter and leave at any given time. The dancer performs only about half the time of the entire duration of the work. The dancer performs sequences of dance which embrace the interest of the form of dance of today as hybrid and explorative, and as a form in continuous juxtaposition. Der Raum singt plays with the actual surrounding and proximity of contemporary visual and performing art. Der Raum singt is a quote of the Swiss composer Walter Fähndrich. The work is interested in the idea, that matter (objects or subjects, materials, topics) moves us, and that music, as well as further used materials or media, is matter in space which moves us. Moreover the title appeals to our imagination in connection with the themes the works deals with. The projections The arrangement of still images projected onto a white surface is the most important and obvious thread of the themes, and even gives us a hint of a subjective plot. The images consist of a collection of graphics and photos that were created and found during the research, study and processing of the themes. They move between private impressions and memories, individual statements, literature and public sources. Concept, installation, dance: Merel Roozen Assistance production: Maria Kobzeva Der Raum singt is funded by the Cultural Office of the City of Frankfurt am Main and the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art. Made possible by the Fund Performing Arts and the Hessian Cultural Foundation.