Weightlessness in the theater: Rare performance thrills in Vitanje!

Weightlessness in the theater: Rare performance thrills in Vitanje!

A notable cultural event recently took place at the Space Cultural Center in Vitanje, Slovenia. The play “Love and State” by Vladimir Stojsavljević, which deals with intrigues in the acting milieu of Elizabethan England, was performed there. It was directed by the well-known Živadinov, a co-founder of the New Slovenian Art collective and known for his engagement with classical avant-garde and questions of weightlessness. The play premiered for the first time at the Mladinsko Theater on April 20, 1995 and has seen only two further performances since then: one in 2005 in a cosmonaut training pool near Moscow and one in 2015 in Vitanje.

This time the performance at the Space Cultural Center was sold out, a sign of the continued interest in Stojsavljević's work. What is particularly noteworthy is that the concept of the production includes futuristic elements, including video projections about space travel and movement technology influences à la Meyerhold. The original 1995 cast was back on stage, with departed performers replaced by futuristically designed placeholders. Innovative technologies such as the use of drones came into play here.

The challenges of the actors

The performance also had its challenges. An actress was excused due to a hospital stay and Marko Mlačnik, who plays the role of William Shakespeare, can only move in a wheelchair. Therefore, his role had to be significantly reduced. The special respect that the audience showed the actors reflects the importance of the production and the emotional depth that comes with the painful absence of deceased colleagues.

Živadinov, who was born in 1960, initiated a space culture center in Vitanje in 2012, which serves as a platform for cultural projects related to space travel. Considerations for the next performance of the piece in 2035 have already been initiated, with Istanbul being considered as a possible venue.

Artistic reflection and social context

The work of Stojsavljević, who celebrates 50 years of artistic activity this year, is shaped by his experiences in the political and cultural landscape of Croatia. He began his professional career in 1971 at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. His first, award-winning drama “Krunidba” is considered a turning point in his creative period. Despite the uncertainties that characterize the arts and culture scene today, he remains productive and draws inspiration from his surroundings, especially in his kitchen.

His interest in the Zrinski family, especially Nikola Zrinski, is reflected in numerous works. Stojsavljević has also had specific travel experiences that have deepened his understanding of culture and history, including several visits to Israel. As part of the Noordung project, he also looked at the cultural connection between Croatia and Russia.

In the context of theater and cultural exchange, the production of “Love and State” is not only an artistic event, but also a statement against the challenges facing contemporary art. The combination of tradition and new technologies, as in this performance, shows how theater can work today.