1999 KÖNIG/IN

set
Theater des Augenblicks, Vienna (A)
in cooperation with Bilderwerfer (founded by Daniel Aschwanden) and
toxic dreams (founded by Yosi Wanunu)
performers: Daniel Aschwanden, Elisabeth Löffler, Christian Polster, Conny Scheuer

Daniel Aschwanden and Yosi Wanunu collaged texts and fragments by Henry Michaux (a poet and painter with close ties to the Surrealist movement and well known for his experimentation with the drug mescaline). The fragments are not simply traditional stories about kings and queens, the focus is more on power, abuse, helplessness, glamour and fame. The performance presented modern types of kingdom, and was inspired by Andy Warhol’s idea of 15 minutes of fame for everyone. The protagonists behaved in absurd ways in pursuit of their radical ambitions. Their business was fast, hard and sometimes dirty — whoever can establish themselves as a brand wins.