Das Theater mit den Wissenschaften: Affektive Atmosphären einer künstlerisch-kollaborativen Bearbeitung der Klimakrise

Abstract

This article examines the constitution of affective atmospheres that arise through the encounter of scientific and theatre practices. Using an autoethnographic approach, the presented work focuses on a collaborative theatre project on the climate crisis. Here, the author performed in the role of a scientific expert next to colleagues that have a climate change-related research background. Three aspects of affective atmospheres emerging in the rehearsal process are analysed: one's position in the interplay of powerful materialities, the relationality of sensual bodies, and the (in)stability of scientific identities. This paper shows that the artistic collaboration opens up space for reflecting on science that seek to overcome ostensible dualisms of subject/object, mind/body, and reason/emotion. It emphasizes the opportunity of art to bring into account body, more-than-humanity and relationality as part of scientific practices in times of anthropocentric debates facing climate change.