2014: babel. überall
The art education project 'Babel überall' comprises visual content originating from the desires, fantasies and dreams of the school kids. They use various artistic means of expression to develop their own performances, taking into account and showcasing their individual differences. Throughout this collaborative effort the students look for unifying aspects and new connections.
| Artist: | Alvise Carbone, Rhythmus Eva Debrunner, Flöte Pierre Favre, Musik/Perkussion Fredrik Gille, Perkussion Patrick Grigo, Tanz Rea Hunziker, Gesang Ruth Maria Obrist, Bildende Kunst Daria Reimann, Tanz Ursula Rutishauser, Bildende Kunst Margret Sohn, Gesang Michael Spindler, Film Marco Volta, Tanz |
| Comp: | Claudio Canonica, Violine Gregor Loepfe, Piano Thom Wettstein, Bass |
| Project management: | Eliane Zgraggen |
| Cast: | Lehrpersonen der Schule Neuenhof Schülerinnen und Schüler der Schule Neuenhof |
| Lighting: | Veit Kälin |
| Sound: | Markus Luginbühl, audiopool |
| Producer: | Pitt Hartmeier |
| Managing director, head of Communications: | Judith Vögele |
| Artistic director: | Brigitta Luisa Merki |
Download high-res press images here.
Schulblatt Aargau/Solothurn
Raffaele Briamonte, Renate Baschek, Schulblatt Aargau/Solothurn, 01.08.2016
Badener Neujahrsblätter 2015
Feli Schindler, Badener Neujahrsblätter 2015, 25.11.2014
Aargauer Zeitung, Kultur
Elisabeth Feller, Aargauer Zeitung, Kultur, 26.05.2014
Radio SRF 2 Kultur
SRF2 Kultur Kompakt (Segment after 13.30 minutes, only available in German)
Maya Künzler, Radio SRF 2 Kultur, 26.05.2014
Tele M1 Aktuell
Stephan Lanz, Tele M1 Aktuell, 24.05.2014
SRF 1 Regionaljournal Aargau Solothurn
SRF 1 Regionaljournal
130 Students, 30 Languages, 1 Art-Project in Königsfelden (only available in German)
SRF 1 Regionaljournal Aargau Solothurn, 22.05.2014
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Kultur
Dorothee Vögeli, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Kultur, 22.05.2014
Aargauer Zeitung
"It is so simple - all one has to do is begin"
What is art? What do I do with it - what does it do to me? Tanz & Kunst Königsfelden's first pedagogic project has spent the past several months trying to find answers to these and other questions. Brigitta Luisa Merki, the project's artistic director, continues to develop the theme from the production "babel.torre", which enjoyed great success at the Klosterkirche Königsfelden in 2013. This time, she is working with young adults and male and female artists from every genre of music, dance, the visual arts and film. The new title for this expanded project reads "babel. everywhere." It includes students, teachers and artists, all collaborating in the creation of this new production, which will be performed six times in May at the Klosterkirche Königsfelden. The performance is not Merki's primary objective, however; instead, her purpose is to "introduce young people to various forms of art." The creative process is the focus, the act of absorbing artistic impulses, of reacting and responding to them, on stage or backstage, guided and inspired by artists. In other words, the process is more important than the result.
... The Neuenhof School showed a lot of interest in this pedagogic project. Since October of last year, three different high school levels (including special education classes), two fifth-grade classes, and several teachers have been included in the project. Merki is fascinated by the Neuenhof School. "It is a melting pot of students from close to 30 countries," she explains as she glances across the room.
... Chairs are arranged in a semi-circle; a djembe is placed in front of every chair. A djembe is a type of African drum made from a hollowed-out tree trunk. What will happen? The audience does not have to wait long for an answer, for the door opens and a man emanating both strength and fragility enters the room: Pierre Favre, the legendary percussionist. His appearance belies his 77 years of age. Favre is one of the musicians working with the students and young adults. He does not need to explain everything in detail because his attentiveness and warmth eradiate a natural authority. How are the rehearsals going? "It is so simple - all one has to do is begin," the musician answers without any airs.
Elisabeth Feller, Aargauer Zeitung, 19.01.2014
Regional, Brugg
„Babel. Towers that Build Desires - Desires that Build Towers" receives Contribution from Swisslos, the Swiss Lottery Company
"Tanz & Kunst Königsfelden", TKK for short, will receive CHF 150,000 from the Swisslos Foundation for its pedagogic cultural project "babel. Towers that Build Desires - Desires that Build Towers". For the past several months Brigitta Luisa Merki, Director of the TKK, has been working on the project in close collaboration with the Neuenhof School. The project will culminate in a series of performances (premiere: May 23, 2014) at the Klosterkirche Königsfelden, the canton's foremost venue for dance performances.
Name-dropping: The students from the Neuenhof School have been working with experts in their field for months. Pierre Favre for example - one of the world's best-known percussionists - has been "practicing" for the production. José Moro, Marco Volta, Daria Reimann and Patrick Grigo (a multiple hip-hop world champion) are responsible for the dance parts. Ruth Maria Obrist (Set Designer and "Tower Builder of Babel" in the Königsfelden church in 2013) and Paper Artist Ursula Rutishauser represent the visual arts. Michael Spindler, an experienced film maker and photographer, assists the students with filming the creative process and with creating the videos that will be integrated into the performance.
Everyone offers his or her contributions with great enthusiasm, and one can only look forward to seeing the result.
Please look for additional information in this publication and online at tanzundkunstkoenigsfelden.ch.
Ernst Rothenbach, Regional, Brugg, 09.01.2014