Lena Grossmann
MIMETIC BODIES
16 Feb–21 Apr 2024
How do body movements and gestures function as codes we use as a matter of course? How do they structure body images and interpersonal relationships, as well as collective behaviour and social spaces? What role do processes of imitation, empathy and assimilation, or repetition and appropriation, play in this context? What bodily reactions does being imitated produce? In her performance and exhibition MIMETIC BODIES, visual artist and choreographer Lena Grossmann explores collective, everyday body language. Her interest lies in physical gestures, their interpretations and how they relate to one another.
MIMETIC BODIES can be experienced in two ways: in performances that take place during the opening weekend, and afterwards as an exhibition that encourages interaction, movement and imagination. Within one-hour performances, a group of seven visitors together with five performers experience scenes that outline and comment on mimetic movement strategies. In the interplay between watching and being watched the focus lies on group formation, moments of isolation and togetherness, empathy and symbiotic behaviour. The performances play out over a graphic on the floor designed as a form of movement notation, which extends across the entire exhibition space. Following the performances, the floor graphics will become a participatory exhibition. Symbols, conceptual fields, paths and suggestions of actions invite visitors to explore different approaches to physical imitation and to question behavioural patterns within the exhibition space.
Lena Grossmann’s performance and exhibition MIMETIC BODIES was first shown in 2022 in Lothringer 13 Halle in Munich. Kunstverein Freiburg presents a further-developed version, adapted to the Kunstverein’s exhibition hall.
Performances, Dates
Fri, 16 Feb 2024
3–4 pm
4.30–5.30 pm
6–7 pm
Sat, 17 Feb 2024
2–3 pm
3.30–4.30 pm
6–7 pm
7.30–8.30 pm
Sun, 18 Feb 2024
2–3 pm
3.30–4.30 pm
5–6 pm
Artistic Direction, Choreography, Graphic Design:
Lena Grossmann
Performer, Artistic Collaboration Performance:
Estefanía Álvarez Ramírez
Performers:
Georgia Bettens
Marianne Linder
Tamora Dinklage
Lena Schillebeeckx
Graphic Realization:
Ludwig Haslberger
Images: Lena Grossmann, MIMETIC BODIES, Performance and Exhibition Views, Kunstverein Freiburg, 2024, © Lena Grossmann / VG Bild-Kunst, Photos: Marc Doradzillo
The project is supported and made possible by the Office of Culture of the City of Munich and the Bavarian State Association for Contemporary Dance (BLZT) with funds from the Bavarian Ministry of Science and Art, the Erwin and Gisela von Steiner-Stiftung Munich and the LBBW-Stiftung.
Programme
Fri, 16 Feb 2024
MIMETIC BODIES
Performances
3–4 pm
4.30–5.30 pm
6–7 pm
(Registration required)
Fri, 16 Feb 2024, 7.30 pm
Opening Night with an Introduction by Heinrich Dietz, Curator
Sat, 17 Feb 2024
MIMETIC BODIES
Performances
2–3 pm
3.30–4.30 pm
6–7 pm
7.30–8.30 pm
(Registration required)
Sun, 18 Feb 2024
MIMETIC BODIES
Performances
2–3 pm
3.30–4.30 pm
5–6 pm
(Registration required)
Thu, 29 Feb 2024, 7 pm
Curator’s Tour with Heinrich Dietz
Sat, 2 Mar 2024, 3 pm
Mimikry
Movement Workshop with Quindell Orton
Thu, 14 Mar 2024, 7 pm
Discursive activation with Elena Basteri
Thu, 11 Apr 2024, 7 pm
Ästhetik in Bewegung — Ausstellung x Performance
Lecture by Hanne König
Sat, 14 Apr 2024, 2–4 pm
Movement Workshop for Children 6–12 Years
with Lena Schillebeeckx
(Registration required)
Thu, 18 Apr 2024, 7 pm
Guided Tour with Marilena Raufeisen