Lately I have been enjoying to create site specific work, delving into examination of a specific space. I develop performances, workshops, and contemporary circus in public spaces – based on research material that I obtain by historical and socio-cultural research, by structural and aesthetic inspiration.

Selected site specific work

FernNah – aerial performance in Luther's Oak in Eberswalde, with music by phyla, celebrating 500 years of Reformation, Premiere: 28 10 2017, Eberswalde – possible to perform in other trees

Voll praktisch. – aerial sketch for multimedia installation and exhibition by Kordula Lobeck de Fabris, Munich 2018

vergangene Kunst – workshops about former artistic, circus, and theatrical performances at Kulturpark / Spreepark, August-September 2019, Spreepark Berlin

Über-Blicke – Connecting former performance at Spreepark with contemporary perceptions of nature, August 2020, Spreepark Berlin

Workshops about bygone creative, artistic, musical, and theatrical performances at former Kulturpark / Spreepark, Berlin.

Besides rides and gastronomic offerings, its numerous stage shows at Kulturpark and later Spreepark enjoyed huge popularity – from music to theater, from circus to extravaganzas. These shows are a vital part of the memories of the park's visitors.

But who were these artists who performed at Kulturpark and Spreepark? What shows were to be seen? And how have they inscribed themselves into peoples’ recollections of the park?

Using photographs and archival footage, personal memories and recollections of the performers, our participants will be given the opportunity to research on site. Each workshop will feature a different performer from the time, who will be discussing their experiences.

Former Artists*

Die Ompahs – Horse riding shows
Conversation with Ompah founder Dr. Bernd Otto

Diverse acts of State Circus of GDR
Conversation with former State Circus spokesperson Dietmar Winkler

Hops und Hopsi – shows for childer
Conversation with Hops successor and Spreepark historian Christopher Flade

Polar bear trainer Ursula Böttcher
Conversation with Böttcher's assistant and zookeeper Joachim Krebs

Stuntcrew Babelsberg
Conversation with stuntman and director Rene Schobeß

Credits

Idea and Concept: Jana Korb
Artistic direction: Anja Gessenhardt and Jana Korb
Video and sound: Friederike Berat
Design exhibition: Jana Korb
Fotos: Tobias Stiefel, Jürgen Scheer

15.09.2019
Open day at Spreepark
Exhibition and video screening of workshop results

Workshop Series: environmental and cultural education

of Grün Berlin GmbH

These workshops are part of the planning process of Grün Berlin. The park is not publicly accessible yet. Thus Grün Berlin is researching possibilities of future educational opportunities within the specific space of Spreepark.

 

 

 

Based on vergangene Kunst 2019 we want to explore how to capture past artistic traces, how to make elusive memories visible – without nostalgic re-enactment and pseudo-historicims. How can we create contemporary performance at Spreepark, situating historic traces of performance in a context both of future public Spreepark and current social divides?

Going deeper, we want to research, how to transfer artistic and performative practices beyond the context of performing arts. How can we apply these practices in Spreepark – to experience the space, to strengthen the importance of its natural biotope, and at the same time to not disturb its habitat?

Invited Artists*

Geschwister Weisheit "Cosmonauts of Highwire Walking":
Rudolf and Edeltraud Weisheit (former highwire walkers at VEB Kulturpark)
(solicited)

Thomas Janoske, contemporary high wire performer

Credits

Idea, artistic research: Jana Korb
Workshops, moderation: Jana Korb, Anja Gessenhardt
Training and rigging: Thomas Janoske
Video and sound: Friederike Berat

Dates: August 2020

Workshop Series: environmental and cultural education

of Grün Berlin GmbH

These workshops are part of the planning process of Grün Berlin. The park is not publicly accessible yet. Thus Grün Berlin is researching possibilities of future educational opportunities within the specific space of Spreepark.