DRUGAJANJE: Neja Tomšič / Nonument Group: CIRCLE
Circle is a theatrical essay intertwining storytelling, visual art, architecture, and sociological research. The space is thus marked by sculptural structures made of building materials, which are connected by a live narrative.
It speaks of parks, which visual artist Neja Tomšič and the interdisciplinary group of artists, architects and theorists Nonument Group understand as a field of different interests, ideas and policies. Both Nonument Group and Neja Tomšič tell about political and social ideas, movements and policies, whose changes are reflected in material reality – common public areas.
They began their initial research work in Cluj Napoca, in the abandoned Railway Workers’ Park, which found itself at the intersection of neoliberal city interests and the racist attitude towards Roma residents and the poor, crammed into a ghetto on the outskirts of the city. As a leitmotif, the park also accompanies other, personal stories of the narrators – as a legacy, a nonument, the trace of which remains in the memories of (former) users even after the change in land use.
At the same time, Circle remains a relevant work of art, as it contextualizes time and again the place where it is staged – be it the history of the Cukrarna sugar factory, the former Tranzit House synagogue in Cluj, or Ljubljana’s Old Power Station.
Authors: Nonument Group (Neja Tomšič, Martin Bricelj Baraga, Nika Grabar, Miloš Kosec)
Script: Neja Tomšič
Performing: Neja Tomšič, Nika Grabar, Miloš Kosec
Sculptures: Martin Bricelj Baraga
Sound design: Simina Oprescu
Recordings: Neja Tomšič and Martin Bricelj Baraga
Cluj Assistant researchers: Istvan Szakats,Flaviu Petean
Documentary off-voice: Flaviu Petean
Help with research in Alexandria: Mohamed Adel Dessouki, Sarah Baghat
Statements: Viorica Zsiga, Adrian Dohotaru,Vlad Rusu, Istvan Szakats
Voice of Viorica: Jadranka Gnezda
Sound technician: Luka Seliškar
Light design: Martin Lovšin
Kostumografija: Dajana Ljubičič
Technical director: Igor Remeta
Technical coordinator: Martin Lovšin
Technical crew: Luka Bernetič, Andrej Petrovčič, Duško Pušica, Manca Vukelič, Vid Starman
Producers: Alma R. Selimović, Klara Drnovšek Solina, Ajda Koloini
Thanks to: Barbara Poček, Barbara Tomšič, Maks Bricelj
Public relations: Tamara Bračič Vidmar
Produced by: Bunker, Ljubljana
Co-produced by: Centrul Cultural Clujean, L’Arboreto – Teatro Dimora di Mondaino, MoTA – Museum of Transitory Art
The production was created in the frame of the international project Srtonger Peripheries: A Southern Coalition.
Supported by: European Union – Creative Europe Programme: Culture, Stronger Peripheries: A Southern Coalition, Ministry of Culture of Slovenia, City Municipality of Ljubljana, Cukrarna / Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana
Photo by: Nada Žgank
70 minutes
