A living contradiction. Encounters with Alexander von Humboldt

Equipped with headphones, the audience of the live performance embarks on a journey to important and ambivalent stations in Humboldt's life.

Humboldt's successes in world expeditions were only possible through oppression and exploitation. In order to uncover the power structures of the colonial era, seven performers delve deep into Humboldt's biography. On the one hand, Alexander von Humboldt became a globally recognised and praised chronicler of social inequality on his expeditions. He documented, for example, the brutal enslavement on sugar cane plantations in Cuba, as well as the inhumane work of the "cargueros", who carried the wealthy on their backs through the Andes. On the other hand, Humboldt's own discoveries and successes were themselves based on a system of colonial oppression. This side of Humboldt's legacy is reflected, among other things, in the ruthless invasion of hitherto protected spaces and territories. But also in the fact that Humboldt was only able to travel and later live and publish successfully because of his close contact and friendly ties with colonial masters, slave owners and the reactionary Prussian royal family.

Therefore, Humboldt's inner compass and attitude in all this raise questions. Which side was he on - that of the oppressed or that of the rulers? What was he prepared to accept for his own success and for scientific knowledge? And was he aware of this conflict.


With: Katja Gaudard, Yujin Jeong, Patric de Jesus das Neves Lindström, Kira Metzler, Kinga Anita Ötvös, Luana Rossetti, Axel Sichrovsky
Director: Clemens Bechtel / Stage: Till Kuhnert / Costumes: Sabina Moncys / Choreography: Maura Morales Yudesbiet / Music/Production Audiowalk: Michio Woirgardt / Dramaturgy: Annelie Mattheis / Assistant Director: Sarah Maree / Production Assistant: Emily Siedler / Internship: Oriana Barrera

Trigger warning: At one point or another racist language is used in the form of original historical quotes. The original quotes are always contextualised and/or deconstructed. Their reproduction in the theatrical context is intended to reveal the contradictions and racisms they contain.

• Prologue and Epilogue: Large Foyer; Main venue: Hall
  
• 16 € / reduced 8 €
  
• German
  
• Please be there at least 15 minutes before the performance starts. Background: 120 headphones must be handed out to the visitors. There must be a 2 G check
  

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