Works: Kris Verdonck

Actor#1

The artist and theatre-maker Kris Verdonck quite often combines his fascination with machines with images and concepts that owe a lot to science fiction. This certainly applies to the three-part Actor #1.

The first part, called Mass, shows an odd, poetic landscape in which chemical and physical processes are taking place. A landscape of constantly moving sculpted mists.

In Huminid, we are addressed by a creature that can be called part human and part doll. The actor Johan Leysen is not physically present, but has lent his voice and face to the doll.

In Dancer #3 we see a robot trying to stand up straight; he always falls down again, but never gives up. He endures this process of trial and error cheerfully and indefatigably. His energy and clumsiness display the optimism of a clown who’s always tripping over.

Actor #1 is about evolving: about what has come into being, what is, and what may come into being. Three variations on the metamorphosis from chaos to order.

The three parts of the performance are shown in separate rooms at the Kaaistudios.

Credits

Concept & direction: Kris Verdonck
Dramaturgy: Marianne Van Kerkhoven (Kaaitheater)
Performer (on film): Johan Leysen, Jean Paul Van Bendegem
Construction: Sylvain Spinoit, Atelier 26, Steven Blum
Software & Electronics: Felix Luque
Sound design: Thomas Turine
Video: Vincent Pinckaers
Light design: Luc Schaltin (Kaaitheater), Kris Verdonck
Production manager: Hendrik De Smedt
Production: Margarita Production for stilllab vzw
Technical coordination: Colin Legras
Coproducers: Kaaitheater (B), Kunstencentrum Vooruit (B), Buda kunstencentrum (B), Le manège.mons/CECN (B),
Transdigital/TechnocITé (B)
Project initiated by la chartreuse (F) in the frame of its research on robots and theatre
Scientific research: Jean-Jacques Cassiman, Dirk De Ridder, Philippe Fraisse, Jean Paul Van Bendegem, Dirk Van
Hulle
With the support of: Vlaamse Overheid, Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie
Thanks to : Atelier 26, Acapella digital voice, Arne Vanneste, LIRMM (F)