self-portrait with two friends

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Self-portrait with two friends is the first chapter of OHT’s Performance Series, an ongoing archive of performances inspired by the sociological research of Richard Sennett on emotional differences due to their working condition. A catalog of the limits of daily life, embarrassments and deficiencies of our society that becomes theatrical matter through the use of irony. Adrian and Patric are the protagonists of Self-portrait with two friends, probably the same character at different stages of decadence, who persevere in their cathartic adventure. A combative, artistic and improbable catharsis that takes place in Adrian's studio-apartment. An intimate and discouraging place where the two nerds struggle to occupy a space that they deserve. It is their reluctance to fail that puts the show in the balance between a genuine sense of humor and despair.

The phenomenon of failure is questioned not only for its hilar, cynical and comic effects but also for the profound sadness it carries. According to Richard Sennett, the reluctance to consider failure part of our daily life is one of the greatest contemporary taboo. The questions we ask ourselves are: failing means not having achieved anything? Is there something that remains from a failure? When is the right time for resignation? Who and what decrees our personal success?

In an elliptical and autoironic way, OHT wants to revitalize its incapacities within a show that will never be a masterpiece but, nevertheless, something sincere. A self-portrait with two friends.

“I will not make anymore boring art” - John Baldessari

“Laughing lessens our lacks” - Henri-Louis Bergson

The first show (Self-portrait with two friends) deals with failure in a private space. The second (Weaknesses) turns on exposing one's own weaknesses in a public place. Finally, the third (Project Mercury) revolves around the absence of privileges in the outer-space.

Richard Sennett
Born in Chicago in 1943, he is Professor of Sociology at the London School of Economics and at New York University. His studies focus on the analysis of life in urban contexts, the emotional consequences caused by excessive precariousness and the ways in which people produce culture. He was a personal advisor to former President Barack Obama and his studies have influenced many scholars including Zygmunt Baumann. His research was recognized with the Hegel Prize for Lifetime Achievement (2006) and the Gerda Henkel Prize (2008), a prize worth € 100,000.

"The evil you tolerate depends on the good you want" - Richard Sennett

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year

2013

running time

0:53:00.0

genre

theatre

credits

> idea, directing, set-design Filippo Andreatta
> by and with Charles Adrian Gillott, Patric Schott
> photographer Fabio Cella
> production OHT, Fondazione Caritro, Provincia Autonoma Trento
> in collaboration with Regione Trentino Alto-Adige
> residency Italian Cultural Institute Vienna, Inteatro, Centrale Fies
> thanks to Anda Skrējāne, Biljana Srbljanovic, Ilaria Mancia, Nadia Simeonova
> dedicated to Bertolt Brecht, John Baldessari and Michelle Williams

production history

15.IX.2016 > Roma, Short Theatre Festival
from 11 to 15.XI.2015 > Milano, CRT Teatro dell’Arte Triennale Milano
11-12.X.2015 > Rovereto, MART museum of modern and contemporary arts
16.XI.2014 > Arzignano, Festival By-Pass
26-27.VII.2014 > Dro, Festival Drodesera - Centrale Fies