Works

You are here

In an installation, reminiscent of a hotel, each audience member will get their own bedroom. Here they are alone and anonymous, until they learn about the visitors in the other rooms. In its original set up the work functioned as a model for the anonymity associated with city life, where people simultaneously live similar lives. Due to the social implications caused by the pandemic of 2020, the work was also a reflection on our time in self isolation, a time in which the proximity of strangers suddenly became a threat.

In an installation, reminiscent of a hotel, each audience member will get their own bedroom. Here they are alone and anonymous, until they learn about the visitors in the other rooms. In its original set up the work functioned as a model for the anonymity associated with city life, where people simultaneously live similar lives. Due to the social implications caused by the pandemic of 2020, the work was also a reflection on our time in self isolation, a time in which the proximity of strangers suddenly became a threat.

Video

Press

‘This work asks questions about our need for a collective, the need to be in one space in the physical proximity of other people. By creating distance I hope to make the absence of flesh and blood tangible. That will probably come in this new edition even harder inside.‘

'Corona made the artwork You are Here highly relevant', Herien Wensink interviewed Dries Verhoeven for De Volkskrant (05-07-2020)read the interview (in Dutch)

'Verhoeven’s work presents an example ofhow innovative approaches to creation that have been considered ‘in the margin’ (withoutactually being marginal phenomena) now may hold the key to making theatre in a postlockdown condition.'

Maaike Bleeker on 'You are here' (18-05-2020)read the text here

‘You are Here is an impressive ritual for the 21st century. Not only does it encourage us to slow down and relax, but also restores a sense of openness in our relationship with others and ourselves.’

'Impressive ritual for the 21st century', Fransien van der Put for Theaterkrant.nl (11-07-2020)read the review (in Dutch)

'What would come across as an extended abstract bedtime ritual in normal times, takes on more poignant connotations in the new normal, for all our interactions now form a potential health risk, and so we retreat into ourselves.'

'U bevindt zich hier' Wendy Lubberding for Movement Exposed (14-07-2020)read the review here

‘You may as well give in to it, although it still feels so uncanny.’

‘‘You are Here’ by Dries Verhoeven was previously a confrontation with anonymity. Not any more,’ Hanny Alkema in Trouw (11-07-2020)read the review (in Dutch)

"Corona makes us think about how we treat one another"

Ron Rijghard interviewed Dries Verhoeven about You are here for the NRC Handelsblad (23-06-2020)read the interview (In Dutch)

"All those people, lying there quietly and alone on their beds, the image is one of touching beauty."

'Dries Verhoeven laat bezoekers theater kijken vanaf eenzaam hotelbed' ('Dries Verhoeven has visitors watching theatre from a loney hotel bed'), Vincent Kouters in De Volkskrant (07-07-2007)read the review (in Dutch)

"A new highpoint in experiential theatre."

'U bevindt zich hier' ('You are here'), Wilfred Takken in NRC Handelsblad (24-05-2007)read the review (in Dutch)

"A moving statement about loneliness and contact. This artist is starting to become one of the most original voices in Dutch theatre."

'Reviews of Festival a/d Werf', Simon van den Berg in Het Parool ('21-05-2007)read the review (in Dutch)

Background and public reception

Montblanc Young Directors Award 2009

Dries Verhoeven received the Montblanc Young Directors Award at the Festspiele Salzburg for You are here.

read the jury report

VSCD Mimeprijs 2008

Dries Verhoeven received the VSCD Mimeprijs 2008 for No man’s land and You are here.

read the jury report

publication

Adam Czirak wrote the book ‘Partizipation der Blicke. Szenerien des Sehens und Gesehenwerdens in Theater und Performance’ in which he includes a piece on You are here. ‘Partizipation der Blicke’, Adam Czirak by ‘transcript Verlag’, Bielefeld.

view the publication

video

In this video, Dries Verhoeven talks about the origins and construction of You are here.

watch the video

The television channel Arte dedicated an item to the Berlin version of You are here.

watch the video

interview

For Beeldbouwers Daniel Bertina interviewed Verhoeven about his most memorable creation.

read the article

Credits

2020

cast 2020 Emma Hanekroot, Meghan Dobbelsteijn, Alidtcha Binazon, Tamar Lagas, Annet de Ruiter, Aleksej Ovsiannikov, Annelotte van Aarst, Myrthe Boersma, Levi Middendorp en Guido Hoek
head of production Angela van Kalsbeek
production assistent Nikki Kracht
technical coördination Roel Evenhuis
technique Peer Thielen, Niklas van Woerden, Marko Meijer, Barend Blom, Stach Evenhuis, Paul Hoogeboom, Jeroen de Goeij, Eelke Slooten
thanks to Kas van Huisstede (STS), Maarten Smids (man met de Hamer), Paul Hoogeboom (rigging Amsterdam), Robert van Hoof (rigging Box), Liesbeth Buisman (showtex), Ruud Lucas Luyckx (flashlight), Peter Scheunhage (peak Audio), Pieter Smit, Joeri, Juliëtte & Hanneke

You are here is made possible with support of the KF Hein Fonds, Elise Mathilde Fonds, Carel Nengerman Fonds and Fentener van Vlissingen Fonds.

 

2007

cast 2007 Jorieke Abbing, Marcus Azzini, Willem van Berkel, Erik J. Dekker, Laura Johannes, Nienke Scholts, Daniëlle van de Ven, Erik Whien en Hannah van Wieringen
technical production Roel Evenhuis, Michiel van der Zijde
technicians Marco Steenks, Jeroen van Eekelen
production managers Evelien Heus, Pieke Berkelmans, Esther van Rooijen