Built to Last
«The same music that served evil purposes can be redeemed to serve the Good. Or it can be read in a much more ambiguous way. With music we cannot ever be sure. In so far as it externalises our inner passion music is potentially always a threat.»
Slavoj Zizek
In «Built to Last» Meg Stuart exposes five performers to classical and contemporary music. Most of these pieces, among which are compositions by Sergej Rachmaninoff, Ludwig van Beethoven and Antonin Dvorak, have influenced the history of music. They make audible the way the relationship between human beings and ideals or utopias have changed over time. As if they were transported by a time machine the performers move between different situations and states of consciousness. Their journey cannot be described in logical terms. The encounter between performer and music allows for a glimpse of human nature and of latent yearnings. Thereby, the title «Built to Last» challenges the belief in eternal values, heroism and universality. How can we take these notions for granted today? Many things are produced in a way that makes them deteriorate quickly. Just as we are forced to reinvent ourselves over and over again and to keep moving forward.
Credits
