Make no false friends
Make no false friends
Imprisoned by choice! Why would someone willingly step into a cage?
Driven by internalized ideals of endurance and self-sacrifice, a female hunger artist* is pushing her body beyond its limits, longing for recognition. In a society that promises liberation while enforcing visible and invisible constraints, she becomes trapped by the very beliefs that claim to set her free.
In this physical, urgent, yet playful performance, a dancer, a musician, and a responsive sound installation interact. Metal tubes transform from a cage into a maze of resonating pendulums.
Who is truly free? At a time when algorithms and social norms quietly shape our choices, and complex realities are reduced to headlines, political polarization grows. Through this work, we create space for reflection where conversation alone often fails.
*Hunger artists were a phenomenon of the 19th century, fasting in cages while audiences watched them for entertainment.
About the makers
Isa Schmidbauer – contemporary dancer and choreographer – is in love with movement and searching for meaningful expression. Isa completed her BA at HfMT-Cologne, working with choreographers such as Tamara Gvozdanović, Gustavo Gómez, Sade Mamedova, Anton Lachky and Sigal Zouk. She has performed in theatre productions and independent scene projects, among others at Rozbark Theatre and at Theater Münster. She has also appeared in film projects and is exploring acting. She worked as an assistant director for Opera Spanga, collaborating with Ivgi & Greben. Her own works have been performed and developed at CCD Cologne, Splendor Amsterdam, and the Auftakt Festival in Cologne.
Jón Kleinehanding – singer and sound artist – creates unexpected live experiences, breaking the laws of physics with innovative soundscapes and sound installations. Jón studied jazz guitar at FÍH Reykjavík before pursuing a degree in jazz/pop vocal education at HfMT Cologne. Throughout his career, Jón has collaborated closely with the sound artists Rochus Aust and Verena Baré, at several Soirée Soniques and the Centre Court Festival in Cologne. He served as a curator for Containerklang #22, a contemporary music series for emerging artists. As a choir singer, he has performed at opera houses like MiR Gelsenkirchen and Staatstheater Darmstadt.
credits
Isa Schmidbauer – performance, artistic direction and dance
Jón Kleinehanding – performance, sound installation, live music and
composition
George Demetriou – sound design and composition
Slowblink – playback music
Shana Brown – musical support, violin samples
Sara Europaeus – artistic support
Sarah Hassan – light design
Nathan Marcus – technical supervision
Raffaella Allegra – promotion pictures
Collaborators: Fair Performance Pact NDSM and Griendgarage Maastricht
Imprisoned by choice! Why would someone willingly step into a cage?
Driven by internalized ideals of endurance and self-sacrifice, a female hunger artist* is pushing her body beyond its limits, longing for recognition. In a society that promises liberation while enforcing visible and invisible constraints, she becomes trapped by the very beliefs that claim to set her free.
In this physical, urgent, yet playful performance, a dancer, a musician, and a responsive sound installation interact. Metal tubes transform from a cage into a maze of resonating pendulums.
Who is truly free? At a time when algorithms and social norms quietly shape our choices, and complex realities are reduced to headlines, political polarization grows. Through this work, we create space for reflection where conversation alone often fails.
*Hunger artists were a phenomenon of the 19th century, fasting in cages while audiences watched them for entertainment.
About the makers
Isa Schmidbauer – contemporary dancer and choreographer – is in love with movement and searching for meaningful expression. Isa completed her BA at HfMT-Cologne, working with choreographers such as Tamara Gvozdanović, Gustavo Gómez, Sade Mamedova, Anton Lachky and Sigal Zouk. She has performed in theatre productions and independent scene projects, among others at Rozbark Theatre and at Theater Münster. She has also appeared in film projects and is exploring acting. She worked as an assistant director for Opera Spanga, collaborating with Ivgi & Greben. Her own works have been performed and developed at CCD Cologne, Splendor Amsterdam, and the Auftakt Festival in Cologne.
Jón Kleinehanding – singer and sound artist – creates unexpected live experiences, breaking the laws of physics with innovative soundscapes and sound installations. Jón studied jazz guitar at FÍH Reykjavík before pursuing a degree in jazz/pop vocal education at HfMT Cologne. Throughout his career, Jón has collaborated closely with the sound artists Rochus Aust and Verena Baré, at several Soirée Soniques and the Centre Court Festival in Cologne. He served as a curator for Containerklang #22, a contemporary music series for emerging artists. As a choir singer, he has performed at opera houses like MiR Gelsenkirchen and Staatstheater Darmstadt.
credits
Isa Schmidbauer – performance, artistic direction and dance
Jón Kleinehanding – performance, sound installation, live music and
composition
George Demetriou – sound design and composition
Slowblink – playback music
Shana Brown – musical support, violin samples
Sara Europaeus – artistic support
Sarah Hassan – light design
Nathan Marcus – technical supervision
Raffaella Allegra – promotion pictures
Collaborators: Fair Performance Pact NDSM and Griendgarage Maastricht
