Gisèle Vienne's Puppets Explore Trauma and Dissociation in Berlin Exhibition

The exhibition 'This Causes Consciousness to Fracture – A Puppet Play' by French-Austrian choreographer and director Gisèle Vienne is currently on display at Haus am Waldsee in Berlin until 12 January. Featuring lifelike puppets, the show includes a still tableau, a series of photographs, and glass vitrines. Inspired by her 2021 work 'L'Etang (The Pond)', which interprets Robert Walser's short story from around 1902, it features scenes from a teenage house party, showcasing puppets in denim jackets and galaxy T-shirts. Key moments include a couple on a bed and another pair on the floor, evoking feelings of dissociation. Additionally, sixty-three color photographs (63 Portraits 2003–2024) reveal emotions like shame and anxiety. Glass boxes on the ground floor display dolls with bloodied hands and bruises, while the final room features bloodstained shipping boxes. Vienne's 25-year career uses puppets to symbolize submissive characters, delving into themes of violence, trauma, and personal relationships, especially among youth. This exhibition is part of a broader showcase of her artistic endeavors in Berlin.