How do we talk and coexist with people who hold entirely different worldviews? As the far right gains more ground, artist Julian Hetzel and philosopher Bart Brandsma open a conversation about polarization, emotions, and politics.
Public debate is becoming harsher, with emotions like fear and anger increasingly driving our interactions. How come I can’t stand your opinion? Why can’t we speak without getting angry? Julian Hetzel and Bart Brandsma will examine these questions at De Balie.
With the recent election victories by far-right parties in mind, we explore the boundary between polarization and conflict. Is polarization and extremism best addressed from a moderate position, or does radicalism require a radical response?
This programma is the first in a series of thought-provoking encounters, dialogues, round table talks and artistic interventions by Studio Julian Hetzel and de Balie Amsterdam. The events deal with the relation between politics and emotions like love, hate, anger and fear. The events are part of the research for Three Times Left is Right, Studio Julian Hetzel’s new performance, which will have its Dutch premiere on 29 May at SPRING Performing Arts Festival Utrecht.
About the speakers
Bart Brandsma is a philosopher and polarization expert. In 2016, he published the book Polarization: Understanding the Dynamics of Us-Them Thinking. He advises and organizes training sessions in management and leadership for police, justice officials, ministers, teachers, journalists, and mayors who want to learn how to navigate the growing dynamics of us-them thinking.
Studio Julian Hetzel creates “undisciplinary” work at the intersection of theater, music, design, video, performance, and installation art. Through our projects, we challenge audiences to engage with current social, political, and moral issues, such as racism and privilege (SPAfrica), the relationship between money and hope (There Will Be Light), empathy and moralism (All Inclusive), and the weight of a traumatic past on the present (Mount Average). Using poetic, humorous, and often provocative visual language, they lead audiences through playful yet disruptive experiences on the edge of reality and fiction. This year, Studio Julian Hetzel won the VSCD Directing Award for the performance SPAfrica.
Speakers
Zes korte nieuwe films uit de serie Hollandse Meesters gaan in première. Een kijk achter de schermen bij zes uiteenlopende kunstenaars.
All Fours was dé literaire zomerhit van dit jaar. Waarom raakte het nieuwste boek van Miranda July een snaar bij zoveel lezers – jong en oud? Een avond over zalmroze spreien, parkeerders en bestuurders, en natuurlijk de perimenopauze.
Deze avond presenteert de onderzoeksredactie Live Journalism hun bevindingen in de vorm van een theatervoorstelling. Na afloop vindt er een nagesprek plaats.
