Dear reader
These are dire times. For many of us, it is difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel right now. We cannot avert the current alarming and frightening developments in the world and must accept that, in the future, they will get even worse. It's dark. It's true.
What we can do is ensure that voices are heard and stories are told from a different perspective about how people, despite the lack of hope, are working on a small scale to face a future. We can give a stage to thoughts, topics and people who will probably be deprived of one stage after another in the foreseeable future. These are all perspectives that, over the last few years, have only just achieved important sensitising on gender diversity and self-empowerment, sexualised and domestic violence, substance misuse and mental health - as well as raising awareness of deep-seated structural sexism, racism and ableism. We can ensure that these narratives continue to take place, in spaces where together we can find solace, laugh and cry.
That is why we are happy about the diversity of perspectives, voices and formats that have their say in the second issue of the new Gessnerallee newspaper.
We are also delighted about the new cooperation in the form of a review format with the inclusive media project ‘Reporter:innen ohne Barrieren’. Reporter Kim Pittet attended the showing of the work ‘Mutterzungen’ by Rebekka Bangerter on their behalf. There is also a one-off collaboration with the ‘Papierlose Zeitung’. You will find selected articles from the current issue in a purpose-made bracket.
You can also look forward to contributions focusing on the artistic programme from December 2024 to February 2025, which deal with issues surrounding the representation of bodies and the staging of gazes and sexuality that are probably far more diverse than the majority of the population is aware of. In the analysis ‘The Lesbian Gaze and the Gaze as Invitation’, dramaturge Isabel Gatzke analyses how the gaze in dance and theatre performances influences dynamics of power and subjugation, attraction and distance. In a careful composition on three pages dramaturge and researcher, Nele Solf compiled various experiences on the perception of non-normative bodies and the possibilities of self-empowerment for us. In a conversation between dramaturge Noa Winter and Amelia Lander-Cavallo from the Quiplash company, the artist talks about the interplay between a drag show and audio description for visually impaired people. And in an interview with Rahel Bains, journalist and head of communications, the founder of the queer-feminist sex shop ‘untamed.love’ Jessica Sigerist tells us what a sex shop and theatre have to do with each other.
We are also pleased about recurring formats and voices: In our column ‘A thought on theatre’, playwright Laura de Weck describes why she still sees the theatre as a place where everything that is shamefully kept secret, hidden, sexual and taboo can be played out openly. The artist and musician Rada Leu delights us yet again with a comic that gives us insights into potential urban conversations. Photographer Hannah Gottschalk takes us into the world of photo essays once more. This time we experience the visualisation of a process that is otherwise hidden from the public: the dismantling of the grandstand. In each issue, we let a well-known personality gaze into the astrological crystal ball that brings us closer to our destiny in the form of a theatre horoscope. This time, stand-up comedian and performance artist Edwin Ramirez shows us the future.
However, the future will not happen if there is a lack of young people. Zurich's theatre scene is thriving, but in the area of children and young people, there is a need to catch up. In the article by journalist Jenny Bargetzi, we find out why this is the case.
Last but not least: when it gets darker and darker outside and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, it is all the more important to know the mechanics and magic of light engineering. In her article, technician Corinne Werffeli shares her step-by-step knowledge of creating poetic spaces with spotlights and lighting consoles.
Thank you very much for your time and dedication.
Rahel Bains, Kathrin Veser, Miriam Walther
