Methods:
The project is being developed with ZHdK students from the specialization in „Theatre Education“, with students from Uagadougou (Burkina Faso) and a primary school class from Zurich. The performance will take place at the Blickfelder Festival on 3 and 4 June 2024.
„Pierre sur pierre“ – stone on stone, is built up to the sky and beyond. Whoever builds higher wins. Whoever loses falls off the sky and becomes a third world country. Two continents, two weeks. Over the period of 14 days, theatre professionals from Zurich and Ouagadougou will jointly explore the capitalistic dimension of tower building.
Objective:
The new, unique project explores and researches the question of a common language. The language of theatre:
„How high is the Prime Tower?“ – „126.“
„What drink will you enjoy when you get to the top?“ – „A digestif.“
Building towers up to the clouds is not a new idea. Even in the Old Testament, the legend of the „Tower of Babel“ is considered one of the most important myths. The topic is more relevant than ever. The city of Zurich is considered a world-famous economic miracle and decorates itself with terms such as „innovation“, „quality of life“ and „excellent infrastructure“.
No doubt about it. In economic terms, the quality of life in Zurich can hardly be compared with other locations. We are faster, louder and, above all, higher. But what capitalist thought patterns are behind the values that have become a constant aspect of our everyday lives?
The legend of the „Tower of Babel“ is a tale of people who aimed to realise the tallest building ever constructed – a tower reaching the clouds. They build stone after stone until they have almost reached their goal. Until a linguistic confusion arises. The Old Testament describes a God who confuses communication. People can no longer understand each other and flee in all directions.
The moral of the story?
Agostina, Alex, Daria, Kader, Marcel, Reka and Zenabou embrace the confusion of language in the group with every cell of their bodies. They also embrace idealistic concepts of the world in which they not only understand each other beyond language, but also live together beyond capitalistic ideas. How is that supposed to work? Not by winning whoever builds the highest tower. Instead, the group creates a low structure – which may not reach up to the clouds, but allows contact at eye level.
„Quelle est l'altitude du BCEAO Building à Ouagadougou?“ – „48.“
„Quelle boisson bois-tu quand tu arrives en haut?“ – „... quoi?!“
Together with children from Zurich, theatre students from Burkina Faso and Switzerland create a play that is performed as part of the international „Blickfelder Festival“ at the „Gemeinschaftszentrum Buchegg“ (Community Centre) in Zurich.
Conclusion:
Searching for a unifying language, for possibilities of action in comprehension, is part of every communication and therefore also part of every degree programme. In the study programme „Theatre Education“ – explicitly in this module – the focus is on people, counterparts, personalities and the related individuality.
In line with the principle of „together instead of alone“, the project „Utopies – tu fais ce que tu peux“ investigates singularity in the context of a compatible understanding for all, to an extent that language can have a global effect and make a difference. „Global change“ is omnipresent – in most people's minds at least. The group translates this into action by actively engaging with people of different ages, backgrounds and socialisation.
Finding a common language, actively connecting with people and building networks is not only relevant for Marcel Wattenhofer's work at the ZHdK, but also far beyond.