Simone Aughterlony

Maintaining Stranger

Performance
Dance

English / 80 min.

What might interpersonal relationships look like if they were not predefined by social norms? What structures get in the way as we search for fulfilling intimacy and sexuality? With her new work, a co-production of HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Simone Aughterlony once again proposes new constellations of family. In “Maintaining Stranger” the artist, who lives in Berlin and Zurich, creates a sparse stone desert as a cruising zone where conventions, space and time do not exist. Detached from social constraints, an unsuspected possibility of encounters and commitment emerges. The interwoven fates of the protagonists relate stories of failed relationships, respect and misunderstandings, while reflecting on living together in an utopian, post-colonial age. Without a beginning, without an end, without a homeland, without a script and without history, the characters meet and collectively deconstruct the notion of strangeness and intimacy. This gives rise to a community of strangers who find each other through shared experiences instead of attributions and claims of ownership. “Maintaining Stranger” tracks the drifts and gaps between people where intimacy is most intensely felt. Love is nothing personal, difference always is.

Cast

Concept: Simone Aughterlony / Performance: Simone Aughterlony, Niall Noel Jones, Nic Lloyd, Mathias Ringgenberg, Hahn Rowe, Teresa Vittucci, Petra Hrašćanec (Gast) / Sculptures design: Christopher Füllemann / Text: Jen Rosenblit & performers / Music: Hahn Rowe / Dramaturgical advice: Jorge León, Saša Božić, Jen Rosenblit / Light design: Florian Bach / Assistance sculptures design: Christophe Bozet / Arrangement voices: Luke Deane / Costume: Eloïse Santschi / Drawing: Salome Schneebeli / Technical direction: Marie Prédour / Stage management: Jan Olieslagers / Production management: Sina Kießling / Administration: Karin Erdmann / Diffusion: Art Happens

Dates

Past

Credits

Production: Verein für allgemeines Wohl / Simone Aughterlony. Co-production: HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Gessnerallee Zürich, Arsenic – Contemporary Performing Arts Center, Lausanne. Supported by: City of Zürich, Kanton Zürich Culture, Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council, Fondation Nestlé pour l´Art, Cultural funds by Société Suisse des Auteurs.

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.

Latest information for arrival:

There is currently a construction site on Hallesches Ufer between Wilhelmstraße and Möckernbrücke underground station. There is a divided replacement route for pedestrians (right) and cyclists (left), which are separated by a yellow ground line. The carriageway is narrowed to one lane.

Travelling to HAU2 via U Hallesches Tor:

If you are coming from Hallesches Tor underground station, you will have to use an alternative footpath from Wilhelmstraße / Hallesches Ufer junction, which is separated from the carriageway by a construction fence – the actual footpath is currently closed. Please note: the alternative route is also used by cyclists. Pedestrians should keep to the right. We therefore currently recommend that visually impaired or blind visitors come to the HAU with an accompanying person.

Arrival HAU2 via U Möckernbrücke:

When you leave Möckernbrücke underground station, please stay on the footpath on the canal side until you reach Hallesches Ufer / Großbeerenstraße junction – the opposite side is currently closed due to construction work.

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