SATURN II | VERENIGDE PLANETEN

‘They are like so many cages, so many small theatres, in which each actor is alone, perfectly individualized and constantly visible.’ (Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punishment)

SATURN II is a performance/installation in Karl van Welden’s SATURN-series, focusing on themes such as distance, intimacy, infinity, control and power in relation to the contemporary landscape. The site-specific project SATURN II explores the shaping powers of the urban landscape and will be developed parallel to SATURN I, an installation for a natural landscape.

A high building holds a circle of monolithically shaped observation points. A panoptical setup which offers a view on its wide surroundings. As a spectator you take place in each observational post individually, zooming in on details in an otherwise chaotic urban panorama. The lens guides your gaze to the intimacy of isolated figures in the distance. In an atmosphere of melancholy and vague menace they attempt to inscribe themselves in world and time though small gestures.

City, performers and spectators become participants in a game of creating and bridging distances. The urban landscape as a mediator between human-sized actions and cosmic dimensions. Visitors determine their own time; the performers keep on playing without interruption.

Concept | Sound: Karl Van Welden
Dramaturgy: Bart Capelle
Performers: Stefaan Claeys | Sarah Eisa / Sara Vilardo | Michael Helland | Carolina Mantovano | Kevin Trappeniers | Fran Verstegen
Sound design: Yannick Franck
Light design: Jelle Moerman
Video design: Wannes Gevaert
Assistance | Photography: Maarten De Vrieze
Construction advice: Julie Mabilde | Hiro Verbist
Coordination: Julie Descamps
Production: Verenigde Planeten | United Planets vzw
Coproduction: Oerol (NL) | Vooruit (BE)
Supported by: PACT Zollverein (DE) | The City of Ghent | The Flemish Government
Thanks to: Arteveldehogeschool - Campus Kantienberg