Ragnar Kjartansson

Sometimes, elementary events can shape a life and continue to have an effect decades later. Ragnar Kjartansson’s latest work “The Fall” is based on the memory of such an event. In 1987, Kjartansson’s father, director Kjartan Ragnarsson, came home from a performance of “Hamlet” at Goteborg’s Stora Teatern in a state of great excitement: An outrageous incident on stage had transformed the entire performance. Kjartansson’s father had watched the events and was transported into a kind of ecstasy. Even though Kjartansson himself did not witness the spontaneous performative act, the memory of this moment stayed with him to this day. “The Fall” is dedicated to this memory – a kinetic sculpture for the theatre, which will see its world premiere at Foreign Affairs. “The Fall” is an installation on the momentary in the theatrical: Each and every second holds the potential for the ultimate dramatic event.

By Ragnar Kjartansson