Hammer
Identity for Gessnerallee
Hammer
Sereina Rothenberger (1981)
+ David Schatz (1980)
+ Jana Hofman (1991)
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Sereina: ZHdK, Zurich, Vis. Com. Diploma 2006
David: HfbK, Hamburg (DE), Vis. Com. Diploma 2008
Identity for Gessnerallee
2020–2022
Zurich
Commission
Illustration: Tomiris Shyngyssova (Rhode Island, USA) / Character Animation: Dominic Lutz (Lucerne) / Director: Tillo Spreng (Zurich) / DOP: Christina Welter (Zurich), Tobias Kubli (Zurich) / Video Editing / Title Design: Jana Hofmann (Zurich) / Title Design: Nicolas Poirot (DE), Roli Deluxe (Zurich) / Text: Edwin Ramirez (Zurich), Caroline Ann Baur (Zurich), Vaness. Heer (Zurich), Riikka Tauriainen (Zurich), Tina Omayemi Reden (Zurich) / Voice: Tasheka Arceneaux-Sutton (Raleigh, USA), Carlotta Jarchow (Hamburg) / Cast/Performance: Limmat-Nixen Zürich (Zurich), Edwin Ramirez (Zurich), Lara Dâmaso (Zurich), Lhaga Koondhor (Zurich), Noby (Zurich), Stjepan (Zurich), Vinh aka Muchinator (Zurich), Medjid Sopi (Zurich), Ti (Zurich), Tomy Gun (Zurich), Fredi Odermatt (Büren), Prof. Regina Wecker (Basel), Sarafina Beck (Zurich), Mara Bollag (Zurich), Vesna Maria Garstick (Zurich), Thirza M.schinger (Zurich) / Music: Soraya Lutangu (Kampala), Cœur de Sœur (Zurich), Xenometok (Zurich), Semka (Tirana,), Ivy Monteiro (Zurich), Bashar Suleiman (Amman), Freya Edmondes (Bridgend), Simon Grab (Zurich), Somatic Rituals (Basel), Kombé (Basel), Mafou (Basel) / Proofreading: Rafael Kal Atias (Rhode Island, USA), Jenny Keller (Zurich) / Wardrobe: Ottolinger (Berlin), Julian Zigerli (Zurich) / Co-Curation (Video): Lhaga Koondhor (Zurich), Marc Streit (Zurich), Catalina Insignares (Paris) / 1st Assistant Camera: Anna Imaze (Biel), Ennio Ruschetti (Zurich), Robin Nidecker (Basel), Balz Aufdermaur (Zurich) / Runner: Glenn Asumadu (Basel), Daryl Schiltknecht (Istanbul, TUR) / Additional Footage, Deathh420 (Zurich), Pema Namgyal (Thiumphi) / Programming, Urs Hofer (Zurich) / Photography, Keystone (Zurich), C. Benson (USA), Bob Langrish (Stroud, UK), Martin Parr (Bristol, UK) / Communication, Lora Davies Sommer (Zurich), Michelle Akanji (Zurich), Rabea Grand (Zurich), Juliane Hahn (Zurich)
8 posters
9 videos
Posters F4, 895 × 1280 mm
Videos .mp4, 1920 × 1080 px / duration from 00:47 to 02:54
Posters: screen printing, offset printing
Posters printed by Lézard Graphique, Brumath (FR); Plakatif AG, Schlieren
Since 2020, the performing arts venue has been run by three women who encourage interdisciplinary projects that question traditional modes of production. The team organises itself in collective structures. For this reason, we found a classic corporate identity to be unsuitable. We were looking for a flexible element that would fit the performative nature of theatre.
A mascot is able to interact with different subjects. It can appear on stage and in print, animation and movies. Unlike a logo, it cannot be defined in a corporate manual. Our octopus has three hearts and nine arms with independent neurological features – an ideal representation of a collective.
To promote the programme, we produce five short films a year. If a cultural institution is committed to striving for the greatest possible diversity, this should also be reflected in its communication. Therefore, each film is produced with actors from the theatre itself as well as “performers” from outside the cultural bubble. Within one day, all participants improvise together on set and collaboratively decide how the video is produced. To build a bridge from the theatre stage to the madness of everyday life, the filmed footage is complimented by found footage from YouTube.
The posters pick up the current themes of the venue. Each one shows a combination of a photo from the press or pop culture and the octopus, which disrupts the visual world as a parasite.
