DANA MELAVER

The idea of an individual self keeps us from going insane. It allows us to get up in the morning, brush our teeth (occasionally floss), and get on with our day. In truth, we are clusters of dynamic molecules, constantly changing and interacting with the environment. Every object we encounter and every person with whom we share our bodies (and thoughts), molds our individuality into a new shape. “Das Wohnzimmer” examines the way our interactions with inanimate objects and with other humans changes our identity and sense of self. The project exists in the space between performance, film, and installation. In fact, it is simultaneously all three. Built across three rooms is a looped film and performance, played on multiple projectors. The characters are manifested as projections which travel through walls and objects. Their bodies change, adapting to furniture and to other characters.

"The Living Room" (“Das Wohnzimmer”) was made in collaboration with Lukas Sweetwood, Sophie Braun, and Offener Kunstverein e.V. The narrative of das Wohnzimmer grew from theater workshops with participants aged 10-70, which included improvisation and investigations of body-object interaction. The themes explored in this project include questions of identity, queerness and sexuality, gender play, and performing a "self". Many of the vignettes were written by or with participants and the project as a whole should be regarded as co-created. For the exhibition opening and closing events, the space incorporated live performance activations, further stretching the boundaries of a character’s body. By experiencing the fluid boundaries among performer, projection, and object, and in passing the line between audience and stage, the viewer may begin to let go of individuality.

The project was made with thanks to the support of Fonds Soziokultur, Brandenburgischer Amateurtheater Verband e.V., and generous donations through Betterplace. Many thanks as well to the exhibition location, Rechenzentrum Potsdam.