PLEASANT ISLAND

SILKE HUYSMANS & HANNES DEREERE (BE)

Nauru is a small island state in the Pacific. It was once called ‘Pleasant Island’ by British whalers. The history of this island can be read as a parable of modern times. After the discovery of a vast phosphate reserve in its soil, the island became one of the richest countries in the world. Every plot of land, every garden, every corner of the island was excavated and mined and all its natural resources were exhausted. Silke Huysmans and Hannes Dereere, in their second show, travel to this place which, in pursuit of an immense desire for growth, was completely stripped and excavated until literally nothing remained. The island is now one of the poorest countries in the world and so, in order to survive, it receives refugees from Australia in exchange for substantial compensation. What future remains after such ecological and economic ruin? Following their first documentary work Mining Stories (ZKB Patronage Price 2018), the two artists travelled to the island of Nauru, which recently celebrated 50 years of independence. With Pleasant Island they continue their investigations with field recordings, through interviews and conversations, into the consequences of extreme exploitation.

PLEASANT ISLAND by & with Silke Huysmans & Hannes Dereere
dramaturgy Dries Douibi
sound Lieven Dousselaere
production CAMPO
coproduction Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Spielart Festival, De Brakke Grond, Spring Festival, Kwp Pianofabriek, Veem House for
Performance, Kaap
residencies Beursschouwburg, Kaap, Buda, LOD, Stuk, De Grote Post, De Brakke Grond, Kwp Pianofabriek, Veem House for Performance
thanks to all friends for our conversations 

WED 07.10.2020 | 20.30
PALCO TEATRO LAC – LUGANO

22.00 After-show meeting with the audience,
moderator Simon Valdwogel