On Sunday, I had the pleasure to stop by MADE to check out a their most recent project entitled A Typographic Ballet, orchestrated by artist Ebon Heath. The performance brought together some of the most talented people around, names from German journalist Tita von Hardenberg, Brooklyn’s finest MC Talib Kweli, Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad and vocalist Parvin Namazi and last but not least singer songwriter Max Herre and theatre producer Kevin Rittberger.
I have to talk a little bit about the space first, because I was pretty impressed by it. Located on the 9th floor of the “Haus des Reisens“ building in Berlin-Mitte, right by Alexanderplatz. A place initiated by Berlin hustlers including pop artist tadiROCK, Nico Zeh, Philip Gaedicke, Luise Bisalski and Alexis Dornier. The space is meant to functions as a platform for artists and creative minds from all disciplines to use as a incubator of ideas, experimentation, studio space and exhibition space. One of the coolest aspect of this space is probably the lighting system. It covers the entire floor and can be manipulated to be any colour and temperature possible.
The bathroom also discouraged me from drinking too much, it’s already pretty disorientating as it is…
Now back to the performance itself.
The ballet was divided up to four parts; each with its own unique kinetic typographic body sculpture. One dancer for each part, all equally as impressive as the other. I’m not usually a fan of contemporary-performance-art pieces, but I enjoyed this from beginning to end. This project must have been such a crazy undertaking; everything from the custom design, to the choreography and so on, but I think every second of their hard work show through in the show and it well worth it.
“Ebon didn’t pull off this monster project by himself, but had a whole army of collaborators by his side ranging from bondage designers to choreographers, m.c.’s to journalists, songwriters and a lot of super motivated helping hands.” – Luise, MADE
(Above photos cred: Nils Krueger)
(Backstage – kinetic suit made from handcrafted leather and vinyl cut-out[I think]letterforms)
It was really refreshing to come to events like this in Berlin; to see that people are excited, and want to make things happen. Being known as Club Capital to many, Berlin has a tendency run on its own time (snail speed), and it’s very easy just to do the minimal and get by okay. But perhaps things are changing here. So, props!
For more information about this performance, or MADE, please check out their site! Show your support!
[...] Ebon Heath – TYPOGRAPHIC BALLET Backstage – kinetic suit made from handcrafted leather and vinyl cut-out[I think]letterforms [...]
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