Wit(h)ness

A photographic story of witnesses and being with – as creative drama unfolds.

I once took this workshop called Who needs a dramaturg by Guy Cools, where he introduced the idea of wit(h)ness. It involved an exercise in pairs, where one person would be moving with their eyes closed, the other one witnessing them from the outside, moving along to make sure they won't bump into any other closed-eyes bodies. Not interfering, just being with.

Text: Photos: Iris Writze

The moment I grew fond of François was when he greeted me each morning chirping "Guten Morgen, Schatz!". We were both participating in a one-month training programme for choreographers. First thing I noticed were his feet. "It's my bread and butter, <insert name>" – I would hear him say not only to me but everybody who pointed out his pointe.

Throughout that August, I saw him carry his Shakti pillow wrapped around his torso like a baby. Smoke breaks with his blue IQOS, the scent of heat cream. Grabbing Asian food after long nights in the studio, preparing for our final showings, end of August.

End of August, again, a year later. François had gotten a residency at the very same rehearsal space, developing his final showing into his first solo. Without having noticed, I had witnessed not only his performance unfolding, but his creative process. Maybe I had become the dramaturg nobody needed, or knew they needed.

A project on the theme of M(OTHER)ING, realized in collaboration with the Applied Photography and Time-Based Media class led by Prof. Maria Ziegelböck at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Created as part of Yasmina Haddad's MATCH! #4 course.

The interrelationship between photography, fashion, and casting is examined, with a focus on the relationship between photographer and subject—and vice versa. The mother figure is not meant biologically, but is considered through acts of care: m(other)ing is a verb. Mothers mother, fathers mother, girlfriends mother—you can also be the mother of a house! Are you maternal? Or are you mothers? Like queens?*

Photography: Iris Writze lives and works in Vienna. Her academic background started in translation studies, her passionate background in dance. In her art she mainly translates body language into photography, video or performance.

Performer: François-Eloi Lavignac is a French choreographer and dancer who works as a freelance artist in Vienna. His solo piece "Fifth position" will be shown at brut in November.

Location: Bears in the Park