International dancer and choreographer Annika Kompart „TanzKompArt“, born in Göttingen and now living in Copenhagen, presents her production for the Danish National School of Performing Arts in Copenhagen as a guest performance at the börse. She is currently an Associated Artist at Tanz Station – Barmer Bahnhof in Wuppertal.

In her solo dance piece, she shares her personal interpretation of the character Mephisto. She reveals herself by staging her auto-fictional story, questioning the responsibility of an artist and asking whether an artist driven by passion can function within the confines of conformist society. The choreographic material and topics are inspired by the novel Mephisto, written by Klaus Mann in 1936. The character of Mephisto can be seen as a mirror of the social morals and values that seduce this artist with success and fame. What makes a person “good” or “bad”? How does one’s biography affect the present self? Are one’s choices influenced by one’s heritage or environment? What is the responsibility of the artist in society? Who is a good artist? Is it okay to work without pay in order to be “exposed”? Do you have to be famous to make a living as an artist?

The piece was created in collaboration with Jari Matsi (lighting and set design), Nathalie Baudy (dramaturg), Thea Soti (composer and sound artist) and Sigurjon Bjarni Sigurjonsson (director and writer). During the initial development of the work, director Falk Richter and Runar Hodne were mentors, set designer Siggi Oli Palmason and choreographer Thusnelda Mercy were advisors and contacts.

Mephisto – Guest performance Annika Kompart
26 May and 27 May 2022
7:30pm to 9:00pm
die börse (Wolkenburg 100, 42119 Wuppertal)

Tickets (23 Euro/reduced 12 Euro) can be booked online.

Funded by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. As part of the NEUSTART KULTUR initiative of the Bundesverband Soziokultur.