Mikado

Mikado by Hans Rosenström builds on a sequence from Ingmar Bergman’s movie Cries & Whispers from 1972. The dialogue is adjusted to an idea about personal change and is directed towards the spectator as well as the situation. Through a three-dimensional, near physical stage image Rosenström creates the feeling of a powerful presence of a person who is actually not present at all.

The title Mikado refers to the game in which the players try to sort out singular sticks from a larger pile without moving or touching the whole. As the players in the game will try to take something apart without having it fall apart Rosenström encourages the spectator to reflect on his/herself and his/her experience of his/her own situation.

Mikado is part of a series of narrative audio installations by Hans Rosenström, in which the presence of the spectator is a key element of the work. Since the first performance in Kluuvi Gallery, Helsinki City Art Museum in 2009, the installation has been adjusted to every venue to create a stronger local point of reference connected to the actual experience. Rosenström has formerly been introduced to Norwegian audiences when presenting the installation I andras hand during the event The End of the Knowers in Avant Garden in February 2010.

In Trondheim Mikado was performed continuously for one spectator at the time due to the chronology of arriving, between during the festival Bastard 2010. 

Source: Autumn program 2010, Avant Garden