By and with: Noëmi Lakmaier
Durational performance, admission at all times / Alternative seating and reclining options
Part of "NO LIMITS Festival Berlin"
The word Cherophobia means “the fear of happiness or joy”. Artist Noëmi Lakmaier takes this state of mind as a starting point for a poetic spectacle in stillness. In this 10-hour durational performance, it takes 20,000 helium-filled party balloons to lift her bound body and to make it float in HAU1. It is perhaps the slowest dance piece in the world, as well as the smallest and at the same time most generous, even wasteful gesture at the festival. You can come and leave at any time.
Since her 2008 piece “Experiment in Happiness”, Lakmaier has been grappling with the concept of happiness, its elevated status in our fast-paced, pleasure and perfection seeking society, and its personal meaning to her. Cherophobia is a visual, performative and experiential exploration of what it means to be human, rooted in the artist's personal experience of the world.
* A comment about sustainability: The balloons are made of latex and are dyed with natural dyes. They can be safely composted after the event. Balloon Gas, instead of helium (which is a finite resource), is used. Balloon Gas is recycled, impure helium that cannot be used for medical purposes and is pretty useless otherwise. That's the industry standard and we were convinced that it’s sustainable.
By and with: Noëmi Lakmaier
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Going to the theatre often requires long periods of sitting on more or less comfortable seats in confined spaces. We offer alternatives, so that more people can enjoy the event. At all events there are a variety of options for sitting or laying down, e.g. beanbags, sofas or mattresses. These alternative seats are limited. Please use the Early Boarding or contact us directly after purchasing your ticket.Going to the theatre often requires long periods of sitting on more or less comfortable seats in confined spaces. We offer alternatives, so that more people can enjoy the event. At all events there are a variety of options for sitting or laying down, e.g. beanbags, sofas or mattresses. These alternative seats are limited. Please use the Early Boarding or contact us directly after purchasing your ticket.
Originally commissioned: by Unlimited for the 2016 Unlimited Festival in London.
There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Access to the Parkett by means of a separate entrance with lift when necessary. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can be booked via the ticketing system. If you need any help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email at
tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.