Believe It or Not – A Theatrical Installation

“We are not prone to rituals. / We have our own rituals. / We stole our rituals. / We are not pagans.“

To put it differently: What do atheists believe in? Or agnostics? Do they believe in nothing and prefer knowledge? But nevertheless – out of habit knock on wood? This installation presents various talismans, lucky charms and sanctuaries, contrives profane “pilgrimage routes“ through Berlin, makes and challenges subjective we-statements. Personal philosophies and concepts of death get mixed up together. Facts, assumptions and chains of evidence are rearranged. Where does knowledge end and faith begin? Am I receiving subliminal messages? How free and independent am I of things that came before me? Am I in need of a profound reason for my existence? And does education guarantee maturity? The game is on: Who can find the most contradictions within himself? And who still likes to sing as a group? Or does not feel alone in cemeteries? Theories of evolution and horoscopes, worms, grubs and angels, coincidences, impressions and superstitions intertwine to create temporary and simultaneously questionable confessions of (dis)belief.

„Do you believe dead people can fly?

No.

Why not?

Because dead people rot.

Why?

Because grubs and earthworms come and eat them.

Why?

Because they are hungry.“

Concept, Artistic Director Peggy Mädler, Julia Schleipfer (Laboratory for Counterfactual Thinking) SPACE Markus Paetz
 Graphic Design Birgit Metzger Video Henrike Kochta Music Tobias Vethake Lights Mark Howett Assistant Josefine Jochum Production ehrliche arbeit – freelance office for culture PR björn & björn

With Kiki Bohemia, Nora Bussenius, Daniela Dröscher, Tanja Dückers, Andreas Engler, Eckhard Greiner, Thomas Hashemi, Julian Mehne, Jochen Schmidt, Gregor Sander, Stefanie Taeger, Jan Valk, David Wagner

The Laboratory for Counterfactual Thinking wishes to thank everyone, who allowed us to use theiroriginal relics or make models of their relics for the installation, as well as Annett Gröschner for her advice concerning the pilgrimage routes and Florian Krähenbühl for his help setting up the rehearsal space, Grayson Millwood and Brad Hwang for the support.

4th– 18th December 2013

Wed 4th Dec. / 8 pm: Opening of the Installation

Opening hours

Thu 5th Dec. / Fri 6th Dec. / Sat 7th Dec. / Wed 11th Dec. / Thu 12th Dec. / Fri 13th Dec. / Sat 14th Dec. / Wed 18th Dec.

6 – 9 pm every day (last entry: 8 pm)

Special Events in the Installation

Sat 7th Dec. & Sat 14th Dec. / 3 – 6 pm: ritual family afternoon: baking stars, folding cranes and Peter and Anneli's Journey to the Moon (children under 7: free entry)

Sun 8th Dec. / 6 pm: “Thought for the Week”: reading & concert with authors: Daniela Dröscher & Jochen Schmidt and musicians: Tobias Vethake & Kiki Bohemia

Sun 15th Dec. / 6 pm: “Thought for the Week”: reading & concert with authors: Tanja Dückers & David Wagner and musicians: Tobias Vethake & Kiki Bohemia

Funded by Hauptstadtkulturfonds Berlin.

The Labor für kontrafaktisches Denken (Laboratory of Counterfactual Thinking) was founded by author and dramaturge Peggy Mädler and art historian and performer Julia Schleipfer in 2008. Their work explores the opportunities and worlds beyond social and individual facticity at the threshold of installation and performance. Recent work: Crying for the Polar Caps. A Counterfactual Attempt at Global Empathy. Festival in public spaces 2009 / I have not been here. A Performative Exhibition of the Conjunctive, Theaterdiscounter 2010 / How to make it perfect? A Counterfactual Reflection on Marriage, documentary movie 2012.

www.laborfuerkontrafaktischesdenken.de