Some were drawn in through hunger, others by design, still more wandered in spontaneously whilst everyday joggers and dog walkers discovered something, unlike their usual passage through the park.
Guided by potatoes and persons in a variety of coloured fringes and prompted by a fanfare, well a joyous honk on a comedic horn, (You had to be there.) spectators of the opening event of The Gothenburg Fringe Festival enjoyed a flavour of life in the Fringe.
The theme of this year's opening “Journey of Life” set in the organic environs of Seminarieparken explored the certainties of life and death and that other bit that happens in between. The organ was at the heart of the proceedings and was played peacefully by Gustaf Malmsten, set high within the university building surrounded by deadly ceramic sculptures by Eva Fluur Jonson.
The chords continued with “Chaotic Neutral” improvised theatre who engaged the audience to lead the drama in three pieces throughout the day, spanning one imagined life cycle from someone's childhood teddy bear brought to life to a demented dentist and a desire to be a dancer.
Setting the pulse dance artist Anna Hallquist moved with certain and uncertainties, viewed through the tree boughs and throwing up grasses she gazed and occasionally smiled as she responded to the gazes of the watchers.
Keeping up the pulse talented violinist George Bacos Sand filled the air with resonant strings, giving time to sit, listen and breathe and just take life in. “Echoes of Silence” provided further time for being in the inbetween with an interactive art installation.
“Micromegas VR jewel” gave a taste of another kind of life. Jelizaveta Suska cleverly created means through which one could become small and see the jewel from within and Linda Spåman provided a tarot card telling for all who sought an answer to those eternal questions about life. But, hopefully, none drew Death. Though the card signifies not an ending but perhaps a beginning of something new.
The Gothenburg Fringe Festival is live.
Gothenburg Fringe 2024 runs from 30 August until 8 September. Get your tickets on gbgfringe.com.
