Contes Immoraux – Partie 1: Maison Mère

Is she a warrior from a dystopian future, a punk clown, a dominatrix, or perhaps even a reinterpretation of a Greek goddess? On an empty black stage, Phia Ménard cuts, saws, lifts and glues together large pieces of cardboard. She is building a monument: the Athenian Parthenon. A true feat of strength. 

«Maison Mère» is a visually powerful and striking piece- an invitation to explore Europe's history and identity. It also invites us to think about a world where a storm is already brewing.

Phia Ménard developed «Contes Immoraux – Partie 1: Maison Mère» at the invitation of Documenta 14 (held in Kassel). The piece is also the first part of her «Trilogy of Immoral Tales (for Europe)», which explores nothing less than the conception and downfall of a civilization. The acclaimed French artist also refers to her trilogy as «Pieces of Sublimation». Sublimation describes the process of transition from a solid to a gaseous state, so like most of her works, this piece is ultimately about transformation.

Phia Ménard, whose career in live theatre began as a juggler, has previously performed at cirqu’ with two of her «Pieces of the Wind». In 2017, she presented «L’après-midi d’un foehn Version 1», and in 2019, «Vortex».