An ant of the world (Planetkult)

Can ants save the world? The latest research proves it: Ant activity accelerates the weathering of rocks! This is exciting news for us all, because weathering cools the planet. There is already speculation as to whether the stabilisation of the climate system 350 million years ago was directly related to the emergence of the ant species. Is there a global "ant effect" that could help us today to prevent the collapse of the climate?

andcompany&Co. are currently working on an update of Bogdanov's novel "The Red Star" on the grounds of the Floating University Berlin, the rainwater retention basin of the former Berlin-Tempelhof Airport: "MarsOnEarth". For the eco-socialists on Mars, the question arises as to whether earthly humanity should be given another chance. The ants on Earth are asking themselves the same question.

In this lecture performance, the group talks about their double life as artists and activists, ants and humans. "For us, it doesn't feel schizophrenic at all," says Alexander Karschnia from andcompany&Co., "whether ant or human - the main thing is anti-fascist!" Antifascist ants (ANTiFA) demand: CANCEL INDUSTRIAL CO2!

The group andcompany&Co. has been working intensively on this species for more than four years: in 2021/22, they developed the play "global swarming - the science of the antz", sometimes transforming themselves into the ANTCOMPANY in the hope of surviving the climate catastrophe as ants.

Team

By and with: Alexander Karschnia, Nicola Nord, Sascha Sulimma&Co.
Text: Alexander Karschnia&Co.
Music: Sascha Sulimma&Co.
Video: Kathrin Krottenthaler
Masks: Hila Flashkes
Technical direction: Marc Zeuske

More informations about the artist here.

Info

Based on: "global swarming - the science of the antz", a production by andcompany&Co. in co-production with HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz and FFT Düsseldorf. Supported by: Hauptstadtkulturfonds and Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe.