in collaboration with BILL AITCHISON (performer and co-writer) and NILS DE COSTER (video).
HOW HEAVY ARE MY THOUGHTS
The project reflects a fascination with the expression heavy thoughts, a metaphor that couples the physical, bodily quality of the adjective heavy to the mental concept of the noun thoughts. Concrete to abstract, measurable to non-measurable.
In most research material, the stated weight of an adult human brain varies between 1,300 1,500g, depending on age and gender. The weight of a human head is between 4 and 6 kg. But these statistics were compiled from a single recorded measurement per person. Is it possible that our head weighs differently depending on our mental, physical, emotional or physiological state? Where do the thoughts reside in our body? Can they be scanned? Do they have colour or taste? Are they waves? Can we exist without them?
The performance takes the form of a lecture on thoughts, weight and a series of events that changed the artists life. Science and fiction; text and video. A story in which Mller wakes up in the middle of the night in her one bedroom apartment and asks herself a question: If my thoughts are heavier than usual, is my head heavier than usual too?
This work is the third part in a trilogy of solos based on themes of innocence (Indivisible View, 1999), heroism (Lovely Performance, 2002) and knowledge (How Heavy Are My Thoughts).
The performance is made with the participation of Prof. F. Siemsen (physicist D), Prof. Bojana Kunst (philosopher SLO), Prof. W.A. Wagenaar (psychologist NL), Dr.Christian Rder (psychiatrist D), Alexandra Thiel (trampoline instructor D) and Mullers 50 friends.
Co-produced by Mousonturm Frankfurt/Plateaux Festival and Gasthuis Theater Amsterdam.
Financially supported by DDD@DE and Dutch Ministery of Culture and Niederlandischen Auswartigen Amtes.