ATONAL IM CHTHULUZÄN

Essay-performance as part of DER BLÖDE DRITTE MITTWOCH, hosted by WIEN MODERN. Theater am Werk, Petersplatz Vienna, 2024.

Concept / Script / Performance: Otmar Wagner
Special Guest (Videointerview): Saskia Bladt
Support: Noid, Anat Stainberg

with thanks to: Arnold Schönberg, Jeannine Schiller, Theodor W. Adorno, Friedrich Schiller, Domenico Modugno

»Hurrah, Arnold Schoenberg is turning one hundred and fifty! But what does this cultural hotspot of remembrance mean to me? What, apart from an invitation to create a commissioned work, for which I’m just squeeze this text out of my brain? Why twelve-tone music when I’d much rather listen to Billie Eilish? Who still needs the concept of the avant-garde? Who, apart from the military and the culture industry? Does anyone still play first violin when all notes are equal? Can conceptual art be funny? Mum, what on earth are these ›modern people‹…?«

Otmar Wagner explores all this and much more in a wild journey of associations. An essayistic ramble. A course of questions. A mental match with Arnold Schönberg and Saskia Bladt as his sparring partners.