Mimesis: Nothing is alien between us…

A Radio Play by the Trickster Orchestra (2021)

“‘I am a being of liquefaction,’ said the water tiger.”

Monika Rinck, 2021

Mimesis is imitation, representation, or re-enactment. An ancient Greek concept that has been incorporated into the European and Asian arts of music, painting, and literature in manifold ways. Since the origins of these concepts, artistic imitation not only represented, but also created new realities. Nature knows mimicry, as well – it condenses entire ecosystems. It’s a space of approximation and trickery. This radio play presents new mythological tricksters from the pen of author Monika Rinck. It explores mimesis and its potential for imagining future worlds. For this, musicians immerse themselves in sonic improvisations that engage with activist and literary thoughts by Max Czollek, Kübra Gümüşay, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, and Emilia Roig.

To get a look behind the scenes, check out this making of MIMESIS created by Florian Schmuck:

This radio play was broadcast first on November 30, 2021 in SWR2 Radio.

Monika Rinck’s text is titled: Buoyancy: DRIFTING TRICKSTER

Illustration: Steffen Bergemann

Lineup

Artistic Director Cymin Samawatie

Ketan Bhatti

Text Monika Rinck

Dramaturg Elisa Erkelenz

Philip Geisler

Director Ketan Bhatti

Recording & Sound Martin Ruch

Narrators Heinrich Horwitz

Christian Kerepeszki

Monika Rinck

Laina Schwarz

Samira Schwarz

Spoken Contributions Max Czollek

Kübra Gümüşay

Fiston Mwanza Mujila

Emilia Roig

Vocals Cymin Samawatie

Sheng Wu Wei

Nay Mohamad Fityan

Recorders Susanne Fröhlich

(Paetzold-)Flutes Tilmann Dehnhard

Clarinet Mona Matbou-Riahi

Bass Clarinet & Electronics Milian Vogel

Trumpet Lina Allemano

Kanun Bassem Alkhouri

Koto Naoko Kikuchi

Piano Niko Meinhold

Viola Martin Stegner

Cello Anil Eraslan

Double Bass Ralf Schwarz

Electronics Simon Stockhausen

Drums Ketan Bhatti

Conductor Cymin Samawatie

Editor SWR2 Michael Rebhahn