Anna Anderegg
POROUS MATTER
Biel/Bienne
Our bodies are not closed organisms, but part of a complex ecosystem. In «POROUS MATTER», Anna Anderegg, together with scientists and artists, explores the invisible microbes, fungi and cellular communities that shape our lives. This immersive performance investigates the body as a repository of evolutionary, fossil and microbiological histories. Through video, mirrors and sound, mutable bodily images emerge between organic and digital worlds, raising questions about a future in which species extinction affects all forms of life.
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Our body is not a closed organism, but part of a complex ecosystem. Countless microbes, fungi and cell colonies inhabit us, from our skin to deep within us. They shape our metabolism, our perception and our very existence – and yet we pay hardly any attention to these micro-communities.
In «POROUS MATTER», Anna Anderegg and an interdisciplinary team of scientists and artists explore these seemingly invisible life forms as our companions and accomplices. What might it mean to realise that we are, after all, more-than-human?
In this immersive performance, the Swiss choreographer explores the body as a site shaped by evolutionary memories, fossil traces and microbiological stories. Through video, mirrors and sonic textures, bodies merge with digital surfaces, multiply, fragment and oscillate between solid and fluid states. Constantly transforming, they move towards a future in which species extinction threatens all organisms – including human bodies.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- We 26.08. 21:00 - 22:00 CHF 40.–/20.–
- Th 27.08. 21:00 - 22:00 CHF 40.–/20.–
- Fr 28.08. 21:00 - 22:00 CHF 40.–/20.–
Support programme
Public Warm Up
with Anna Anderegg
Thu 27.8., 18.00
Accessibility
Easy to read
«Porous Matter» was created by the Swiss choreographer Anna Anderegg together with people from the fields of art and science. They explored the human body and the tiny organisms that live inside it, such as microbes and cells. Most of the time, we cannot see them. The piece tries to show these invisible companions. Through dance, video, mirrors and music, new images of the body are created. Sometimes they seem natural, and sometimes they seem digital. «Porous Matter» is a piece about life. It explores change, the fragility of life and the loss of many animals and plants.
Sensory Notes
The piece contains sudden lighting transitions, strobe effects, loud music, and repetitive sounds.
Visitors are invited to walk and move around the space.
Chairs are available for visitors with reduced mobility.
Artistic direction and cast
| Regie | Anna Anderegg |
|---|---|
| Kuration | Dr. Katharina Weikl |
| Performance | Julia B. Lapernière, Laureline Richard, Lucia Gugerli, Waylon D’Mello |
| Dramaturgie | Nina Willimann |
| Szenografie | |
| & künstlerische Vermittlung | Szandra Tebbe |
| Sounddesign | Marco Barotti |
| Kostüm | Antoniya Ivanova |
| Technische Leitung | Trécy Afonso |
| Video Editing | Milica Slacanin |
| Video | Rahul Sharma |
| Datenverarbeitung | Tanja Minarik |
| Videodokumentation | Swan Park |
| Kommunikation | Cécile Rey |
| Choreografische Assistenz & Sprechtext | Laureline Richard |
| Textildruck | House of U |
| Szenografie Umsetzung | Elie Peuvrel |
| Creative Engineering | Hémisphère |
| Metallbau | Ferdi Hansen |
| Foto | Theresa Maria Forthaus |
| Forschungspartner*innen | Prof. Debjani Bhattacharyya, Prof. Adrian Egli, Prof. Jan Fehr, Prof. Helen Keller, Peter Müller, Dr. Gaetana Restivo, Dr. Claudia Röösli, Prof. Marcelo Sánchez, Prof. Michael Scharl, Dr. Maarten Schledorn, Camille Schneiter, Prof. Marcel van der Heijden |
Production
| Produktion | Anna Anderegg |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | Bildstörung Festival Detmold, CCHAR La Chaux de Fonds, Hangar 21 Detmold, Kunsthaus Biel, Naturkundemuseum Berlin, Tanzfabrik Berlin, Théâtre de Liège, Uferstudios Berlin |
| Unterstützung | Stadt Biel, Kanton Bern, Ernst Göhner Stiftung |
| Premiere | 2025, Kunsthaus Biel |
Universität Zürich, Campus Irchel
Immersive dance performance. Art & science. Oscillating organisms
Cooperation: A production of the Art × Science Office of the University of Zurich.
Duration
approx. 60 min.
Age
14 years plus