Ligia Lewis

A Plot / A Scandal

Part of “Complaint, A Lyric. A Retrospective by Ligia Lewis”

Duration 80 min.

Language English  With German surtitles 

The word “plot” refers not only to the action of a story but also to a piece of land, depending on the context. It can also be a verb: to scheme, possibly endangering the existing order – which has led Ligia Lewis to position scandal as a cultural manifestation. Scandals are incidents of disruption where fantasy and pleasure take centre stage. Guided by the questions for whom this pleasure is for and at what expense, as well as where the connecting lines between scandal and plot run historically, Lewis's new plot explores the stage where scandals abound. Weaving together historical, anecdotal, political and mythical narratives − ranging from an interest in the Enlightenment thinker John Locke, Maria Olofa (Wolofa) in the slave revolt of Santo Domingo in 1521, and Lewis’s great grandmother, a figure Lewis turns to within her plot as a guide of resistance − the choreographer and dancer constructs the poetics of refusal at the edges of representation. A dance between affect and embodiment, seeing and being seen. As is so often the case in Lewis's work, “A Plot / A Scandal” creates a space full of excitement, in which images emerge that have a resonance and express more than language can. These fantastically beguiling and at the same time repulsive visual worlds reveal the artist’s high formal awareness.

 

The work unfolds through the following parts:

Prelude
Plot 1 John Locke
Plot 2 Rebellion
Intermezzo: John Locke cleans up his mess
Plot 3: Story of Lolon / fuck up the plot
Outro: Repair?

Cast

Concept, choreography, artistic direction & text

Ligia Lewis

Performance

Ligia Lewis

Assistance choreography, performance

Corey Scott-Gilbert, Justin Kennedy

Research & dramaturgy

Sarah Lewis-Cappellari

Research

Michael Tsouloukidse

Lighting Design, technical direction

Joseph Wegmann

Music composition, sound design

George Lewis Jr AKA Twin Shadow, Wynne Bennett

Sound (touring)

Max Eilbacher, Neda Sanai

Set design

Ligia Lewis

Costume design

SADAK

Stage technicians

Şenol Şentürk, Jachya Freeth

Production, administration

Sina Kießling

Production, distribution

Nicole Schuchardt

Production assistance

Julia Leonhardt

Further Information

Visitor note

Production: Ligia Lewis. Co-produktion: HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Ruhrtriennale, Arsenic - Centre d'art scénique contemporain Lausanne, Tanzquartier Wien, Kunstencentrum VIELNULVIER Gent, Kaserne Basel, The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, Walker Art Center Minneapolis. Funded by: Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe. With the residency support of: Callie’s, O Espaço do Tempo.Supported by: NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ Coproduction Fund for Dance, which is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

Notes:

After the performance on 18.11.: Artist Talk with Joy Kristin Kalu

Past dates

  • Premiere

    Thu 20.10.

    from 20:30 to 21:30 HAU1

  • Fri 21.10.

    from 20:30 to 21:30 HAU1

    Notes: Afterwards: Artist talk

  • Sat 22.10.

    from 20:30 to 21:30 HAU1

  • Sat 18.11.

    from 20:30 HAU2

    Notes: After the performance: Artist Talk with Joy Kristin Kalu

Location

  • HAU1
    Stresemannstr. 29, 10963 Berlin

    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.

  • 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.

    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.