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“Duets with abstraction” are developed specifically for selected art works from the collection of the museum in which the performance takes place. Thus, the duets, which we will see in Sofia, are put on with artefacts from the collection of the National Gallery “Kvadrat 500“. In collaboration with the musician Iku (Johanna Odersky) Julian Weber will perform with the art works “The Glass Jug“ (1933) by the artist and sculptor Ivan Nenov (1902–1997), “Window” (1969) by the painter Nayden Petkov (1918–1989) as well as “Caprice” (1982) by the sculptor Lin Emery (1926 – 2021). 

“Duets with abstraction” does not follow a classic dramaturgy with a narrative beginning and end, but is rather developed as a continuous exploratory journey. The focus of the performance series is on a physical, somatic and sensual examination of the concept of abstraction in the context of the visual arts. 

The selected art works cover different approaches towards abstraction and treat abstraction from their respective historical point of view. The performance creates a situation in which the formality of abstraction collides with an organic body: a living body trying to communicate, grab the artwork’s attention, flirt, become intimate, or even merge with the artwork. Due to the museum’s restrictions, this body is not able to touch the work of art. The impossibility of this fusion creates frictional heat, which becomes the engine of the dance. An inexhaustible energy grows from the never-satisfied longing for union with the work of art. Consequently, “Duets of abstraction” offers the opportunity to enter into a dialogue with a work of art that is understood as an equal counterpart and dance partner and with whom one can communicate while it is usually understood as a dead object.

Julian Weber is a choreographer, dancer, visual artist and set-designer. He studied sculpture at HBK Brunswick, Academy of Arts Vienna and choreography at HZT Berlin and the “Theaterschool” in Amsterdam. His works deal with spaces of interaction involving body, material and movement and are situated at the intersection of visual and performance art. Julian received different grants such as the Berlin Art Prize 2015 and founded “NEW FEARS” – a gallery for dance and performance in Berlin.