VITA 02
TABLEAU VIVANT - LIVING IMAGE
The state of Saxony-Anhalt, the state agency "Luther 2017" and the foundation Luthergedenkstätten in Saxony-Anhalt invited Iris Brosch and her team to the Lutherhaus in the framework of the "Wittenberger Länderwochen" to the new production of "Christ bless the children".
On the occasion of the 500th Reformation Jubilee 2017, the photographer and director Iris Brosch presented the Cranach painting "Christ bless the children" as a new tableau vivant. This is a new art form which depicts artworks and recreates them in real life with performance artists and everyday people.
Already days before the performance, the public could observe the artist during the preparation for her work in the Open Atelier placed in the Chapel of Lutherhause, where Martin Luther used to live. Apart from professional models the people of Wittenberg were also included in the performance.
TABLEAU VIVANT-lebendiges Bild
Luther in the circle of reformers
Germany or Holland, 1625/1650
Oil on wood, 67.5 x 90 cm
In the center sits Martin Luther, to the right of him Calvin, to the left of him Melanchthon.
German Historical Museum
We had access to the LUTHER MUSEUMS, where you can find the most important collection of objects related to the history of German reformation.
Once me and my film/photo production team arrived at the Luther Stube, the young museums curator couldn't stop us to go close to the Luther Table, where Martin Luther worked and spoke with his male disciple around in his famous table talks (so-called "Tischreden").
We took the shoes off to walk on the old wood planchet and I placed the woman around the Luther Tisch; I was aware that in the next 500 years there is no possibility to produce around the Luther Table again.
Under extreme pressure and knowing that I was working in the museum’s “forbidden” zone I had a moment of blackout, and did not know how to direct the women/models: there was a moment of complete silence. Then - almost like supported by all the ancestors in the room - I asked my niece Aline, one of the models, to slowly absorb all the knowledge of the table with her hands by caressing it, and the other women followed the movement.
The long and tender movement of the women’s arms felt like a prayer: past; present and future became one. The women took the dust from the old table to make Luther’s message visible again.
past, present and future became one
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past, present and future became one -
Wittenberg Cranach Altarpiece, city church. The reformation-altar in the church of St. Mary in Wittenberg
tableau vivant in the courtyard of the Luther building inspired by the Cranach Jesus of reformation altar :
In the background we see the famous church door. In 1517 Martin Luther approached the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and nailed a piece of paper to it containing the 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation.
INVITATION TO TABLEAU VIVANT-LEBENDIGES BILD
Invitation Card
PRESS
