“To die means to live better.”

STARDUST is a participatory installation-cum-performances. It looks at dying as an act of empowerment, self-transformation and radical care to address the social, political and ecological crises that we are currently facing. STARDUST is as much an artistic meditation on dying as it is on living. It hopes to give a glimpse of how closely interconnected we are to each other as humans, as well as to all non-humans and the natural world. By dying, we also let the power structures inscribed in us die, opening up the space for a future that is more caring and socially and ecologically just.

Over a period of eight days, STARDUST unfolds as an interactive, sensorial and living installation. Visitors are invited to write their own eulogies, listen to an audio guide (“Instructions for Dying”) or join in an intimate conversation about dying. The overarching narrative follows the eight stages of death transformation in Tibetan Buddhism: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, White Light, Red Light, Black Light and Clear Light. Based on this, the sound, light and video designs of the installation transform over the eight days. In addition, live sound recordings and an infrared tracking system are used to create a constantly changing live installation.

As part of the installation, seven performers (30 – 64 years old) take turns to perform their individual dying rituals each day. Their themes range from collective burial, letting go and disappearance to healing, remembering and connectedness. On the final day, they perform a group ritual, in which all the eulogies created are turned into dust – a reminder that we are all made of stardust.

General content note: The installation as well as all performative rituals deal with the topics of death/dying. This can include dying of oneself, death of relatives or loved ones, images of dying bodies, grief, and other themes related to the topic.

✿ This is designed as Relaxed Installation and Performances. This means all forms of attention are welcome. Different seating/lying options, such as bean bags, cushions, chairs are provided. Visitors can move, lie down and make noise. They can enter and leave the installation at any time. Content notes and sensory stimuli for the installation and ritual performances can be found in the descriptions.  

✿ There is a care person throughout the whole installation, who is also a death doula and available to talk to or support anyone who feels the need. There is a retreat space with different seating/lying options, ear plugs and stim toys. This is not a quiet space. Sounds from the installation/performances can be heard. For more information about Care & Support, click here.

Audio-description and Touch Tour is provided for the performances on 23 and 27.10.2024.

Audio guide (“Instructions for Dying”) in the participatory installation is accessed by scanning a QR code. Please bring your own mobile phone and earphones to listen to it.

More details:
✴︎ PARTICIPATORY INSTALLATION
✴︎ PERFORMATIVE RITUALS

Uferstudios (Studio 1), Badstraße 41a, 13357 Berlin

• 20 & 27.10.2024 (Sun): Installation (14:30 – 17:30 hrs) / Performance (18:30 – 19:00 hrs)
• 21 – 26.10.2024 (Mon – Sat):  Installation (16:30 – 19:30 hrs) / Performance (20:30 – 21:00 hrs)
• 27.10.2024 (Sun): Artists’ talk (19.00 – 20.00 hrs) 
• After the end of each performance, the installation remains open for one more hour.