DE

Absurd Hero

If the object doesn't care if I beat it, do I really beat it?

All-round and original research of a single walking globe, that is used not only as a traditional circus tool, but becomes itself a story-teller in the show. - Premio Emilio Vassalli (IT)

How long can I carry the ball? What is success? Is failure a state of mind? Can I find joy and happiness in my struggle? If the object doesn't care if I beat it, do I really beat it?

Absurd Hero shows an extraordinary confrontation between man and object, a performer and a large, red 25 kg walking ball. The hero, characterised by a state of mind à la Buster Keaton, is confronted with different game situations that he can only overcome thanks to his perseverance and constant search for new solutions. Inspired by the myth of Sisyphus according to Albert Camus, Absurd Hero consciously accepts his fate and reflects the life of a modern artist as a joyful yet endless effort. Absurd Hero is an excellent example of crossing the boundaries of Contemporary Circus and Theatre of the Absurd.

Juggler and circus artist Roman Škadra was born in Slovakia in 1985. After completing a Master's degree in Geography at Comenius University in Bratislava in 2010, he moved to Berlin in 2012 and successfully completed training in contemporary circus at Die Etage - Schule für darstellende und bildende Kunst in Berlin.

The central theme of his interdisciplinary artistic practice is the relationship between his body and an object. Roman sees himself as part of a movement of artists who question the conventional perception of circus and create works that stand at the intersection of different art forms and are presented in diverse contexts. His research is inspired by visual art, sport, philosophy and human labour. In addition to his own work, Roman is a member of Stefan Sing's juggling company Critical Mess and Squarehead Productions' For As Long As We're Here.