Title (2) File type Publiseringsdato Download
Festivalprogram for Meteor-festivalen 2011 pdf 2011 Download
Sesongprogram BIT Teatergarasjen våren 2011 pdf 2011 Download

all that is solid melts into air

all that is solid melts into air is a solo project by a smith (Norway/England). The title is found in Karl Marx' The Communist Manifesto and its often quoted exclamation about capitalism’s expansion all over the world and its influence of all life conditions, more specifically the production conditions continuous change due to the bourgeois' need to maintain status quo:

"All fixed, fast frozen relations (...) are swept away, all new-formed ones become antiquated before they can ossify. All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned (...) The need of a constantly expanding market for its products chases the bourgeoisie over the entire surface of the globe. It must nestle everywhere, settle everywhere, establish connections everywhere".

Information

(Objekt ID 11117)
Object type Production
Premiere February 4, 2011
Coproducers a smith, BIT Teatergarasjen, Black Box Teater
Audience Adults
Language English
Keywords Theatre, Performance, Conversation(s), Monologue, Solo
Running period February 4, 2011  
Website a smith

Requirements to venue

Blackout No
More

The performance all that is solid melts into air by a smith doesn't necessarily relate too much to Marx, but a smith attempts to reflect over a world in change and comment on the consequences of modern life.

The play all that is solid melts into air is a cautious meditation on life, a calm protest against the strange world we live in, an attempted humble allusion from the stage, a planned meeting in a 50 minute break from the outside world, with a prayer for a tiny little bit of humanity and some questions about what we can do on the agenda. all that is solid melts into air is performed in the simple, conversation-like performance style of a smith.

Andy Smith has made theatre and performance projects under the artist name of a smith since 2001. His two previous solo projects were titled the next two days of everything and Innvandrer* (Immigrant). He also directed the prize-awarded plays England, An Oak Tree and The Author with Tim Crouch.

Source:

BIT Teatergarasjen, spring program 2011. 22.02.2011: http://www.bit-teatergarasjen.no/article/378

*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

Contributors (2)
Name Role
Andy Smith – Concept/Idea
Andy Smith – Performer
Performance dates
October 22, 2011Studio USF, USF Verftet (METEOR) Show
October 21, 2011Studio USF, USF Verftet (METEOR) Show
May 25, 2011 19:30 – Teater NOR - Gimle liten (Stamsund Teaterfestival) Show
March 5, 2011Lille scene (Marstrandgata), Black box teater (Marstrand) Show
March 4, 2011Lille scene (Marstrandgata), Black box teater (Marstrand) Show
February 6, 2011 19:00 – Studio USF, USF Verftet Show
February 5, 2011 19:00 – Studio USF, USF Verftet Show
February 4, 2011 19:00 – Studio USF, USF Verftet Worldwide premiere
Festivals (3)
METEOR October 21, 2011
Stamsund Teaterfestival May 25, 2011
Marstrand March 4, 2011
Press coverage

"The theatre context is given functions approaching a meditative room, a break, an opportunity for reflection. (...) One may be tempted to claim that this is not theatre, or performance art, for that sake, rather a lecture, a meeting with a philosopher or a person practising the art of living. After more considerate reflection one turns 180 degrees. The expression is a good example of the relatively recent European theories on the post-spectacular, the after-party, the doing the dishes. If one removes all the effects, all the window dressing, all the illusions, perhaps even the narrative – what is left? (...) a smith leaves his chair after 40 timeless minutes, on his way to an optimist future."

Skuseth, Karoline. Review titled Forløsende gjennomtenkt forestilling (Literally: Releasingly thought-through performance). Scenekunst, scenekunst.no, 09.05.2011, http://www2.scenekunst.no/egenkritikk_7957.nml