B. Novakovič / S. Nešković Peršin: Repository WUST

2nd April 2010 at 8 pm, Kibela - the performance Repository - Winter's Uncle; Summer Tale by Barbara Novakovič Kolenc and Sanja Nešković Peršin.

The performance Repository WUST problematizes the role of preserving, keeping and memorizing through the random setting of an archive. The performance is set in a museum repository or a place where objects are being kept and preserved, although temporarily removed or excluded from view.
The entrance to a new visual environment in the theatre layout is built with words: Can I ask something? But of course. At the next level, entering is performed directly - be it as VENUE opening, a discovery of artefacts (concealed objects - by opening up the theatre curtain) or through an invisible, sublime door, when the performer as a guard enters a new EVENT.

The theatrical quality is first generated by the dialogue between the two guards, later emerging from the visual art as embraced by the audience. The relationship between the guards is the relationship between movement (moving images, dance) and standstill (the guard standing as a statue, an oil painting as opposed to a photograph).
A giant grey mouse slides across the dusty floor, all careful (lat. cura) about the covered museum items, checking continuously whether the life is here. The other guard is asleep on an armchair, covered, only to be able later to force herself like a spring (of a clock) into the venue of movement, to the lit-up theatrical labyrinth. The objects travel together with the two protagonists, from the memory to the process of being archived and opened. The performance dresses up as an exhibition and vice versa. The paradox of what is theatrical as opposed to visual arts is in the mutual relation of two approaches. The ending brings a conversation with the audience who enter the space between the performance and the exhibition.

The Repository WUST is a dance-theatre performance in which the space is taken by forty five museum items from the repository of the City Museum of Ljubljana and twenty contemporary artworks (artists: Zora Stančič, Polona Maher, Damijan Kracina, Katarina Toman Kracina, Nataša Skušek, Mladen Stropnik, Sašo Vrabič, Matic Sonnenwald, Živa Žitnik). The installation functions both as a museum exhibition and a scenographic performance. It was first performed on 1 December 2009 at 8 pm in Jakopič Gallery, Ljubljana. The Repository WUST installation was open from 1 to 7 December 2009.

BARBARA NOVAKOVIČ KOLENC – concept, direction, scenography, performer
She studied cultural studies and art history at the Faculty of Arts, then graduated from the Department of Theatre and Radio, AGRFT Academy, Ljubljana. In early 1990's she performed in original theatre and video projects and in 1994 she founded the Muzeum Theatre. In 1996 she founded MUZEUM, Institute for Art Production, Distribution and Publishing. She now serves as art director and executive producer of Muzeum Institute, Ljubljana.

SANJA NEŠKOVIĆ PERŠIN – concept (co-author), performer
Born in 1968 in Ljubljana, where she completed Bežigrad grammar school as well as the Music and Ballet Secondary School. While studying she collaborated at several occasions with the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. In years 1987 and 1988 she attended the famous Roselle Hightower ballet school in Cannes, France, where she also perfected her knowledge of contemporary ballet and dance expression. In 1988 she got employed by the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, becoming a ballet soloist in 1993 and principal dancer in 2003. In 1997 she was selected to study in Vienna within the Danceweb programme, joining the group of 25 promising European dancers and choreographers. In 1998 she was granted the Arts Link scholarship in New York, where she attended the renowned Merce Cunnigham school. In 2002 she was selected to take part in the Apap programme, financed by the European Union, which was conducted in Salzburg. In 2008 she received a working art grant in New York.

ALEKSANDER KALAN – sound design
Born in 1974 in Montreal, Canada. He lived in Ljubljana between 1982 in 1989 and moved to Vienna in 1994. He completed his studies in sound design and stayed there until 2001. He currently lives in Ljubljana, where he works both independently and within the Sonolab Institute. All these years he has been composing and producing electronic music: sound design for visual media, theatre and film, realising sound installations and ambient sound design. He has worked with various artists: poets, photographers, directors, and lately particularly with dancers (he has created music for dance shows like Hitra zgodba / A Quick Story by Sanja Nešković and Branko Potočan, Campo de Fiori by Mala Kline etc.) Under the alias menu_b he recorded the album Morgam (Twentysomething Tunes, 1999) and the CD Beatification (released in Vienna by Couch Records, 2004), both comprising experimental electronic jazz. Occasionally he also works as a DJ.

BLAŽ PERŠIN – sound design
He has been creating sound designs for stage arts. To name just a few, there were performances by Barbara Novakovič (Čriček v pesti / A Cricket in the Fist, Lo scritore, Emilija, Deklica in kontrabas / A Girl and the Double Bass, Rodin II, Jelizaveta Bam), performances by Sanja Nešković Peršin (Hitra zgodba / A Quick Story, Sostanovalka / Flatmate) and Magdalena Reiter (Forma Interogattiva). He has also worked as a producer and festival organiser within stage arts. He now acts as managing director of Ljubljana Museums and Galleries.

MATIC SONNENWALD – lighting design
Born in 1981 in Murska Sobota. In 2000 he completed the Design and Photography Secondary School, Ljubljana, and in 2005 he graduated in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts, Ljubljana, mentored by Prof Metka Krašovec. In 2008 he completed his masters in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts, Ljubljana, mentored by Prof Zmago Jeraj and Prof Tomaž Brejc. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions and projects at home and abroad. He lives and works in Ljubljana.

The Repository WUST has been produced by Muzeum Institute for Art Production, Distribution and Publishing in cooperation with the Museum and Galleries of the City of Ljubljana - Jakopič Gallery.

The exhibition is part of X-OP project, supported by European Commission – Program Culture and Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and Municipality of Maribor.