Fotograaf: Anja Beutler
Open-air adaptation of NOW WE ARE EARTH / An Orchestra
ARE WE EARTHLINGS
Nicole Beutler presents the performance ARE WE EARTHLINGS at the invitation of the Noordbrabants Museum and the TextielMuseum, as part of the exhibition Human Nature, featuring work by Magdalena Abakanowicz. ARE WE EARTHLINGS is an open-air adaptation of Beutler’s latest dance opera NOW WE ARE EARTH / An Orchestra.
Inspired by natural patterns, the performers collectively build a polyphonic, resonant web of colour and sound - an endlessly repeating, branching network. They resonate together with the constant presence of the sun: a source of energy that is never lost.
This eco-futuristic performance is a search for a new balance with all living things. A hopeful vision, a love letter to the Earth. In times dominated by fear and doomsday scenarios, Beutler offers images of a possible future for humankind on this planet. Through this performance, she claims space for an alternative perspective - one rooted in attention and care, connecting us to both the human and the more-than-human world.
The world premiere of NOW WE ARE EARTH / An Orchestra took place this past April at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Antwerp (BE). From September onwards, the performance will tour theatres across the Netherlands. Click here for the 2025 tour dates.
About Human Nature
The Noordbrabants Museum presents the work of Magdalena Abakanowicz in relation to world history - and the present day. Her practice took shape in the aftermath of the Second World War and during Russian oppression in Eastern Europe. Many of the themes in her work remain urgently relevant. In 1971, she visited the Club of Rome, where she first heard about climate change. This encounter inspired her to focus on restoring the balance between humanity and nature.
Human Nature is part of the joint exhibition Magdalena Abakanowicz – Large, Larger, Largest, on view through 24 August at the TextielMuseum, the Noordbrabants Museum, and the provincial government building of North Brabant.
Fotograaf: Anja Beutler
Fotograaf: Anja Beutler
REVIEWS
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Vibrant talents push back against apocalyptic thinking about the planet’s fate
Critic's choice
“The performers start our solitary, but over the course of the performance they gradually become one: a powerful statement of connection and hope.”
“ARE WE EARTHLINGS becomes a fascinating blend of body art and artistic acrobatics, culminating in living sculptures.”
"The performers have beautiful voices, epecially while singing together. Among them is the multi-talented Timo Tembuyser, who previously drew attention at Boulevard in the dark parking garage performance A ma zon, appeared this year at Festival O. in Rotterdam in the opera Not Here, and already won a Musical Award for his role in The Last Five Years. That the other performers are equally remarkable personalities proves that Beutler not only recognizes talent but fully harnesses it.”
Cast & Credits
Fotograaf: Anja Beutler
Concept, Direction, Choreography: Nicole Beutler
Performers: Abigail Vrede, Catarina Ferreira da Silva, C'Cesirhe Sedney, Estéban Obregon, Margarida Constantino, Rob Polmann, Timo Tembuyser
Electronical composition: Gary Shepherd
Vocal composition: Timo Tembuyser
Text coach & author fragments: Peter Verhelst
Dramaturgy: Igor Dobričić
Costumes: Jessica Helbach
Set Design: Lena Newton, Noa Helder
Repetitor: Catarina Ferreira da Silva
Sound Design and Operator: Maurits van Thiel
Pre-production: Raïssa Pater
Production: Floor Cremers