Alliance of International Production Houses

Alexandra Waierstall’s new, to-be-developed group piece IN THE HEART OF THE HEART OF THE MOMENT has close ties to the exceptional times we are living through in these (post) pandemic phase. The work is based on Bodies and Structure, which premiered in 2019, a live interaction between dancers and the Arena, a monumental sculpture by major US-American artist Rita McBride. Here, the choreographer uploads the material, the experience and the knowledge accrued during the encounter with the sculpture into an imaginary cloud, specifically downloading it again, not as a sculptural work this time around, but as a dance piece. A transformational process lies at the heart of this work, touching us – realistically and symbolically, as it were.

So, Alexandra Waierstall approaches choreography as a navigational system for emotions, perception, and connection, as a tool that ought to serve renewal. Every danced moment therein reflects how our bodies adapt to changing social structures. Something we have most likely all experienced lately. IN THE HEART OF THE HEART OF THE MOMENT interlaces unique performances with Stavros Gasparatos’ multi-layered, powerful composition – an open invitation to contemplation and processing, but mainly an opportunity to create an experience of our current times.

Artist and choreographer Alexandra Waierstall was among the first generation of Factory Artists from 2014 until 2016. She grew up in Cyprus and lives in Düsseldorf. Her works have been shown internationally in theatres, museums, galleries, and in public spaces.

Part of Factory Finale

Choreography, concept: Alexandra Waierstall; Dramaturgical support: Eva Martinez; Artistic collaboration: Volker Hermes, Maria Iole Karolidou; Composition: Stavros Gasparatos; Light design: Caty Olive; Dance, collaboration: Olivia Ancona, Robert Bridger, Ying Yun Chen, Scott Jennings, Amy Josh, Georgios Kotsifakis, Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, Eftychia Stefanou, Karolina Szymura; Text: Maria Iole Karolidou, Alexandra Waierstall; Costumes, stage: Alexandra Waierstall, Horst Weierstall; Management: Judith Jaeger; Production assistance: Maria Sauerland