A choreography for the ‘Of Curious Nature Dance Ensemble’ in a shared evening with Anila Mazharis’ ‘The Future is like whisper yelling’.
‘The Pleasure and Pain of Not Knowing My Name’ is a piece conducted in three parts, each offering a different perspective on ‘Ignorance’ or ‘Willful Blindness’.
Humans are naturally curious, always seeking knowledge. Yet, we often choose to ignore information or avoid becoming informed to evade making undesirable decisions prompted by such knowledge. Pretending not to know is a typical human trait used to abdicate responsibility or act according to our needs. Jessica van Rüschen’s piece, ‘The Pleasure and Pain of Not Knowing My Name,’ aims to poetically explore Thomas Gray’s quote: ‘Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.’
This theme was particularly poignant during the 2021 Corona pandemic. As the world came to a halt and unimaginable changes were introduced, masses still went shopping on Black Friday.
Willful blindness is intriguing on both personal and societal levels. It is a trait that can be frightening, as people often prefer ‘not knowing’ to avoid feelings of helplessness and pain. Uncomfortable truths are often ignored, with true motives and beliefs remaining unexamined. Excuses are readily available, leading to self-deception and deception of others. Pain is caused and maintained by this choice; it is the illusion, not the truth, that hurts.
The first part, a solo, features a man in search of knowledge who inevitably becomes entangled in complexities he cannot comprehend. His navel-gazing leaves him repeatedly knotted within his own body, so focused on his quest for knowledge that he becomes blind to life happening around him.
The second part is a duet, where one man envies another’s sense of peace. Ignorant of how to attain it, he moves within the confines of his own knowledge and tries to impose his ways on the other, unwilling to be alone in his prison of ambition.
The final part, another solo, depicts a woman reflecting on her life, reminiscing about her innocence of ‘not knowing’.
Choreography: Jessica van Rüschen
Performance: Aron Nowak, Felix Bossart, Luigi Sardone, Aurelie Robichon
Costume: Theresa Klement
Set: Britta Bremer
Music: Christof Littmann
Technical management: Oliver Hisecke
Management / Production: Achim Bernsee,
Booking / PR: minusmalminus
Photography and Social Media: Marc Seestaedt
Video: Valeria Lampadova
Office: Judith Elbeshausen
