The exact position of things
"If you have a lot, not just one piece, but more of the same, what would you call that?"
"A collection?"
"A collection? No, not exactly".
"When you see so many people on top of each other, how would you call that?"
"A meeting?"
"No, not a meeting."
"A group?"
"Not that either."
(From: Der Tag, der in der Handtasche verschwand, a documentary by Marion Kainz / WDR)
THE PERFORMANCE
"The exact position of things" explores the disorientation of a woman who no longer remembers her own name. She is present, but she is unable to focus her thoughts. The performance deals with a continuing lack of a grasp on reality and the attempt to survive by clinging to familiar structures. Each word takes on its own existence. Actions are repeated and expose the slightest changes. A consistent meaning can no longer be found. the exact position of things is a piece without centre, always moving forward into the next moment.
"The exact position of things" was chosen by the Dutch periodical TM (theatermaker, June 2005) as one of the five best dance pieces of the 2004/2005 season.
the book
"The exact position of things" is accompanied by a book of the same title containing photographs by Nicole Beutler and text fragments from various sources. It is a (utopian) attempt to archive, categorise and make sense of a continuously volatile present. The book is handed out to the audience before and after performances of the exact position of things as an independent, but parallel, work. Published by LISA and Spring Festival, Utrecht.
credits
Concept/choreography
Nicole Beutler
Made in collaborations with the performers
Hester van Hasselt, Esther Snelder
Music
Gary Shepherd, Wouter Snoei
Lichtign design
Minna Tiikkainen
Dramaturgy
Robert Steijn, Igor Dobricic
Book design
Connie Nijman
Photography
Nicole Beutler
Drawing
Nicola Unger
Production
Nannete Danckaarts
PR photography
ANJA BEUTLER
Thanks to
Uta Eisenreich, Felix Ritter, Paz Rojo, Yriänä Ranka
Coproducers
LISA, Springdance Festival
Supported by
FAPK (Den Haag), VSB-Fonds
