For many years, performer and aerial acrobat Eliška Brtnická has been transforming chimneys, towers and other industrial landmarks into unique spaces for contemporary circus and movement theater. Her site-specific project Chimney combines aerial acrobatics, music, and the architecture of the place into an experience that cannot be transferred to a theater hall.

MOVE Fest Ostrava is moving the Chimney in the newly opened cultural complex Nová osmička in Frýdek-Místek. It is here that a unique dialogue will be created between the performer, the monumental building and the surrounding space. The audience will not only see a performance, but a place that will temporarily gain a completely new meaning thanks to this documentary and movement performance.

The project brings facts, but also emotions connected with this symbol of the industrial era. Currently, many chimneys that are no longer used are being blasted. However, with their demolition, the memory of the place also disappears. Can these buildings be preserved?

Under the chimney, you will be seated on beach loungers and given headphones with expert commentary that blends with the experiences of members of the Czech Chimney Sweeps' Association. Meanwhile, the movement of three performers on the chimney will make its physical parameters, dimensions, stability, strength and material clear to you, but above all its inherent verticality. The chimney will thus transform from a backdrop to the main protagonist of the performance. For one evening, it will come to life as a witness to history, a technical monument and a space for contemporary art. And perhaps it will make us look at all the other chimneys we normally walk past with different eyes.

Concept and direction: Eliška Brtnická

Performers: Stéphanie N'Duhirahe, Alžběta Tichá, Lenka Švolíková / Eliška Brtnická

Dramaturgical collaboration: Ondřej Holba

Movement collaboration: Eleonora Dall'Asta

Sound design: Stanislav Abrahám

Costumes: Lucia Račková

Expert consultations: Martin Vonka, Přemysl Vacek

Technical cooperation: Roman Džačár

Rigging: Marek Csukás

Photo: Jan Hromádko

Graphic design of the visual: Martina Vaněčková

Production: Eva Roškaňuková

Producer: Circus Mlejn, zs.

Interviews were provided by: Lenka Chroustová, Jan Bořík (Bouřka), Martina Ertlová, Vladimír Jiřička (Hugo), Pavel Kroupa,

Petr Mikula, Vladimír Randýsek (Bob), Přemysl Vacek (Laco), Martin Vonka (Dany)

Partners: Cirqueon, Konsepti, Temple of Hops and Beer in Žatec, Festival Za dveřmi

Acknowledgements: Markéta Brna, David Řezníček, Ondrej Koláčar, Karel Havelka, Marketa Lázňovská