Polyptych of Infamy (WP)

Inspired by the novel ‘Triptych of Infamy’ by the Colombian writer Pablo Montoya, the performance by the Italian collective Anagoor spans an arc between two works of art from the 16th century: Theodore de Bry's engravings illustrating the genocide of the indigenous peoples of the Americas and François Dubois' painting Bartholomew's Night, the most famous depiction of the extermination of the Huguenots by the French Catholics. While de Bry could only bear witness to the Spanish Conquista indirectly, as he never crossed the ocean, Dubois was more than just a witness: he survived the massacre in Paris, the violence of which he wanted to leave no memory.

A multi-layered theatrical narrative puts art in the dock here, no longer just as a spectator, but as a potential accomplice to violence. At the centre of the reflection is a moral dilemma: can art contribute to the abolition of violence? Is it possible to depict evil without spreading it? Can we bear witness to the pain of the victims without having shared it?

The visually powerful, highly musical and internationally acclaimed works of the Italian collective Anagoor have already been performed several times at the Theater an der Ruhr. Plays such as Germania, Vom Licht and Bromio were created in collaboration with the Theater an der Ruhr.

We invite you to a discussion with the Anagoor team after both performances.
 

A Coproduction of Centrale Fies, TPE – Teatro Piemonte Europa and Theater an der Ruhr.

Detlef Bauer, Die Deutsche Bühne:

“The digitally captured play of the two men is not only gripping, but also opens up further fields of thought through its complex, grandiosely composed framing. [...] In the concentration on distant historical images and figures, not only a picture of violent humanity and the attempt to come to terms with it artistically emerges. Ultimately, the images, sounds and content of this “polyptych of infamy” stimulate an understanding of our present.

Andrea Müller, WAZ: 

“Visual art meets stage art: with a somewhat different evening of theater, the Italian theater collective Anagoor has now succeeded in reaching - and shaking - the audience.

Dietmar Zimmermann, Rheinische Post:

“The parallels with today are striking - not so much with art as with media reporting. [...] The austere, intelligent performance comes to a lyrical, almost humorous end in a final moral twist.”