Between the geographical coordinates of Bergen (Norway), Neanderthal (the Neander Valley near Mettmann in the Rhineland) and Karlsruhe, BAK-TRUPPEN pose questions as to the concept of "identity" and the counter-concept they have invented of "identideath". In the media theatre of the ZKM the new Ice Age is declared. The cracking of the polar caps awakens the Neanderthalers, ghosts who come back to confront the living. They emerge from their caves and draw comparisons between recent history, the present and the acceptable future. Across the ages connections become evident between our prehistorical forebears and our genetically optimised successors.

The performance in Karlsruhe is repeatedly interrupted by news from the Neander Valley passed on by video and the Internet. Digital maps and communication links are available for orientation purposes in a game which prefers confusion about place and time to clarity. Possibly the audience will be presented with a humanoid experience which equates identity with the exclusion of time: standstill, timelessness.

The "ambient theatre" of BAK-TRUPPEN is always a guarantee of situation- and space-related performances. Physical performance on the stage, the use of various media and their possible defects follow anarchic spirit. The deeper the desperation, the jollier BAK-TRUPPEN are.

BAK-TRUPPEN
("rearguard"), performance group from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1987. Numerous productions and performances throughout Europe, music videos, books. Eurohæ (2001), Good Good Very Good (1997-1998), Read my lips (1997), Love Hurts (1996), Per du lügst. Ja! (1992), Kiss of Death (1991). BAK-TRUPPEN will take part in intermedium 2 with 8 people: Øyvind Berg, Gisle Frøysland, Ingvild Holm, Worm Winther, Jørgen Knudsen, Trine Falch Johannessen, Per Henrik Svalastog, Bo Krister Wallstrøm

DLR/intermedium 2 2002