‘Spiegelneuronen’ by Stefan Kaegi

"Mirror Neurons" is an invitation to a "physical reflection" on the relationship between the individual and society:

The documentary dance evening by Stefan Kaegi/Rimini Protokoll in collaboration with Sasha Waltz & Guests, which celebrates its German premiere at the Radialsystem at the end of August, is an experiment. Anew in every performance.

The audience is an essential part of the experiment, because they are invited not only to observe the emergence of dance movement, but also to move themselves, to act from their seats as an active part of a common system, to experience themselves as part of a kind of large brain.

The auditorium as the main place of action: A mirror is located where the stage normally is. It reflects not only the dancers, but - like a gigantic selfie - the entire grandstand with the audience. In the exchange with the dancers, the audience itself becomes the center of the movements and not only experiences itself "embodying" complex images, but also contributes to the group's choreography. Through the mirror, the audience looks at themselves and the others as they observe the experiment at the center of which they sit.

The documentary research for this evening includes perspectives from brain research, biology, sociology and artificial intelligence, which the audience hears on the one hand in a sound collage and on the other hand experiences - perhaps even anticipates or evades.

"Mirror Neurons" is the first collaboration between Sasha Waltz & Guests and the documentary theater label Rimini Protokoll. Coming from very different backgrounds, both artistic ensembles are interested in the unusual use of spaces and interdisciplinary work. Now Stefan Kaegi, together with dancers from Sasha Waltz & Guests and the audience, is examining the relationship between the individual and society using the means of dance and a large mirror. With this, the dance company – after “remains” by Andrew Schneider in 2020 – continues its openness to new styles as well as its interest in artistic research and cross-genre collaboration with international artists to expand its repertoire.