Valerie Reding, Patricio Ruiz

A dimly lit room filled with vibrant banners, revealing mysterious humanoid creatures, seemingly floating in space, gazing at you - sometimes. A colossal painting, inviting you into a dreamlike landscape with strange figures, lurking in the shades of a deep forest, standing close to one another - calm, powerful and proud. An eerie sound is haunting the air - if you listen closely, you can hear their voices.

And if you are patient enough, you might catch some bodies moving through this strange universe - disturbing and freeing.

In collaboration with performer Patricio Ruiz from Buenos Aires, Lausanne-based painter David Weishaar, composer Tyler Holmes from Los Angeles and Berlin-based sound artist Lou Drago, the performer, choreographer and transdisciplinary artist Valerie Reding creates with monsters an oneiric and compelling multi-sensorial space to share the powerful stories of those that have experienced abuse in interpersonal relationships - stories that are so often silenced in our society. Combining performance, photography, painting, sound and text in an immersive multimedia stage work, monsters fiercely reclaims the monstrosity that is projected on survivors and those who speak up against abuse (of power) and systems of oppression. This eclectic work is an empowering celebration of the liberating power of one‘s voice, resilience, healing, community, care - and love. IIt is also a sensitive and thought-provoking reflection on the figure of the monster and the complex interconnections between interpersonal and societal power relations.

Following the event on December 7, there will be an artist talk with Valerie Reding and Patricio Ruiz.

The shows will be accompanied by two further specials centred around monsters:
Exhibition
On Power and Love