UNSTERN
In kaleidoscopic scenes, “Unstern” illuminates the very moment before catastrophe strikes; it is a blend of violence, nationalist propaganda, incipient battle cries, machismo and insecurity. Euphoria, ecstasy and disruption are juxtaposed. The longing for a collective result in the creation of body formations that on the one hand resort to aggression and violence and on the other hand lead to the adjustment and disciplining of bodies. The demonstration of dominance and authority are followed by surrender and destruction. Expressive images bring about narrative movements and performative scenes. A sequence of conditions, sensations and motives evolve into an image of a society on the edge, the onset of a new era. “Unstern” reflects, in reference to the beginning of the 20th century, on the fundamental parameters of social, technological and political change as well as its implications.
World premiere: September 13th 2018, schwere reiter Munich
Choreography: Moritz Ostruschnjak
Choreographic collaborator: Daniela Bendini
Dance: Eli Cohen, Antoine Roux-Briffaud, Gaetano Badalamenti, Lazare Huet
Video: Moritz Stumm
Music mixing & editing: Jonas Friedlich
Light design: Tanja Rühl
Costume: Renate Ostruschnjak
Audio engineering: Paolo Mariangeli
Production management: Hannah Melder
A production of Moritz Ostruschnjak. Supported by cultural department of the City of Munich and the BLZT, Bayerischer Landesverband für zeitgenössischen Tanz, aus Mitteln des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kunst. Realised by a residency of the Theater Freiburg within the framework of the Grand Luxe network. The artist is a member of Tanztendenz München e. V.
Images
Videos
Texts
The eclectic dance aesthetics in "Unstern" provide an astoundingly comprehensive impression of the massive failures of human hyper-potency. Ostruschnjak is able to convey current political observations without pointing fingers or employing tacky nostalgia.
Rita Argauer, Süddeutsche Zeitung, September 17th 2018
"Unstern" portrays established human and socio-psychologically explicable methods, mechanisms and phenomena which can be found in pop, propaganda and politics. But how can you protect yourself from this? How can you deal with it? Especially when considering the current developments in places like the East of Germany? By means of information? Or reflection? Or discussion? Probably. But also by means of dance performances that go deep, that accuse, confront and inspire. "Unstern" by Moritz Ostruschnjak is one of these performances. The audience was thrilled. It was a wonderful show, congratulations!
Natalie Broschat, Tanznetz, September 14th 2018
Every single scene is enthralling: the military drill, the liberated dancing off into freedom, the evoked allure of prancing horses, the "infinite kiss", changing its form with each different partner. Ostruschnjak's style, alternating between ambling ease and intense muscle contraction, has a wonderful briskness to it. Behind all of it, however, one can recognize the hard work that went into each and every gesture.
Malve Gradinger, Münchner Merkur, September 15th/16th 2018
Each new adjustment is an optical strike of ominous lightning, startling the audience and acting as a signal for the four dancers to reposition themselves. Again and again, the proverbial calm before the storm is tangible. (...) Suddenly there are two opponents, threatening each other loudly. But the noise drowns out everything only for a moment. Ostruschnjak (...) unexpectedly stifles the belligerent howling with a kiss. These realistically impalpable scenes characterize the piece.
Vesna Mlakar, Abendzeitung, September 15th/16th 2018