Goings-On Apr 24. Part I
Vienna, Milan, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lyon, Barcelona and Zurich
NB: This is a long letter with lots of images and links; please, open it in your browser or on desktop if your email provider truncates it.
This is the first time since December that I've written a newsletter out of responsibility, and not sheer enthusiasm. Lately I've been feeling increasingly anxious, which makes it hard to really want anything, and this dulls my creativity. I am easily annoyed by anything, for god’s sake, I irritate myself. All the holes I have in my heart look like bright long tunnels without the end. This doesn’t usually last long, but it does change how I live. I close off and distance myself from the world. I dive deep into books, movies and doubts. It’s not surprising that my work on TJD is also influenced by this. I start tormenting myself with questions like ‘Is anything I write even interesting?’, which are followed by ‘Don’t I repeat myself all the time?’, until I’m hit by the last nail in the coffin - ‘Is there any good art out in the world?‘
As a result, I’m not very happy with this selection even though all the events covered are amazing, and, in a different mood, I would have written a little essay about each one. However, I’ve already covered many of them in previous newsletters, which leaves room to reveal their beauty from a different angle. What if I end up more convincing with fewer words?
I’m sorry for starting off spring’s first newsletter on such a sad note - I didn’t expect this either. April’s Goings-On will be divided into four parts. Part I covers 16 great events in Vienna, Milan, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lyon, Barcelona and Zurich.
Apr 1-3 /Opera/ Wagner’s Parsifal by Kirill Serebrennikov / Wiener Staatoper
More on this here, however I must repeat that despite my huge love for Mr. S, I still can’t bring myself to like Mr. W. Many dates are available in March.
Until Jul 14 / Exhibition / Roy Lichtenstein / Albertina Museum
Read my ode to Lichtenstein here. My personal rating of Roy’s exhibitions is:
Apr 4-8 / Theater / Berenice by Romeo Castellucci feat. Isabelle Huppert/ Triennale Milano
Isabelle Huppert makes it to Paris this month - her next stop is Milan. I’ll keep updated on her.
Apr 5 / Talk / Dimitris Papaioannou in conversation with Romeo Castellucci
Public programs and lectures are not my cup of tea, but for this one I would stand in line to get the front seat.
A discussion on the new frontiers of contemporary theater, its limits and boundaries.
Apr 15-22 / Festival / Milan Design Week
You would almost be right calling it a Saloni Design Week - almost, but not quite. Everything outside the runway is ultimately much more important. I signed up here to get the best guide around the shows.
Until Jun 30 / Exhibition / Martin Parr ‘Short and Sweet’ / MUDEC
Starting with his early works in black and white, the exhibition is focused on themes that are dear to Parr – from ‘sea life’ to tourism, displaying over 60 photographs that Martin Parr has personally selected for this project and presented together with over 200 images from the Common Sense series – that made him a household name – selected from the 350 displayed in the 1999 exhibition of the same name, which take a close look at mass consumption and waste culture, particularly in the West and Europe.
Apr 3-5 / Ballet / The Beauty of It All by Jiři Kylián, Maxine Doyle and Ohad Naharin / ITA
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Naharin's most famous performance, Minus 16. I've probably seen it more than ten times. I know the song by heart, however I only now understand the meaning. It feels nice, actually.
Apr 22-24 / Ballet / Assembly Hall by Kidd Pivot / ITA
I feel like an ambassador for Kidd Pivot, as I’ve already pointed out here and here - and this is far from the last time. I’ve memorized their tour dates after all.
Huge retrospective of Marina Abramovic is on until Jul 14 at Stedelijk Museum
Apr 6 & 14 / Opera/ Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos by Katie Mitchell / Royal Danish Opera
Until May 20 / Exhibition / Alberto Giacometti, What Meets the Eye / SMK Copenhagen
I already loved Giacometti’s paintings more than his sculptures. But when you enter a hall full of Alberto's, it’s hard to not be thrilled.
Until Jul 14 / Exhibition / Chaim Soutine / Louisiana Museum
Thank God there is always Soutine and Modigliani for us. Thank God we have a full year of their shows around the world.
Apr 16-21 / Ballet / Beach Birds and BIPED by Merce Cunningham / Opera de Lyon
Beach Birds is the result of Cunningham’s long, fruitful partnership with composer John Cage, however BIPED is scored by Gavin Bryars. When developing BIPED back in 1999, Cunningham generated movements using computer software, producing choreography for artificial shapes.
Apr 29-30 / Ballet / The Koln Concert by Trajal Harrell / Maison de la dance Lyon
For years, Trajal Harrell has been dreaming of creating a choreography to the unique piano concerto by musical phenomenon Keith Jarrett. With a wealth of experience, he made his dream a reality and created a work that synthesises his influences.
Apr 24-28 / Ballet / Midsummer Night’s Dream by Alexander Ekman / Gran Teatre del Liceu
Every other premier by Ekman is a sensation. This show was created a decade ago and became a hit at Dortmund Ballet. Take your kids - they will love it. We’ve checked.
Apr 21 / Ballet / The Romeo by Trajal Harrel / Schauspielhaus Zürich
One more performance by Trajal Harrel at his home venue. The Romeo is his most recent work and I can’t wait for him to finally lead a strong company on big stage.
Meanwhile, I’ve watched Feud. Capote and The Swans (the cast is unbelievable, I’ll leave it at that), Death and Other Details (I hope the full story will make more sense), finished Expats (despite Nicole Kidman’s irritating upper lip, the rest is great), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (it is nice, but please go to the wildness of Jolie & Pitt), Monsieur Spade (I forgot how incredible Clive Owen was). However, the piece I liked the most was also the one I watched literally while typing, and I hope to return to it more than once - Alice & Jack (don’t plan anything for an evening and the whole night, but also prepare some tissues).
I’ll get more interesting stuff for you next week. I’m sure of it!
Talk to you soon,
Miri