World Premiere: Just What Are We Made Of? The JKU’s Circus of Knowledge Introduces a Somewhat Different Kind of Anatomical Theater

What do we look like on the inside? How do our organs work?

Knitted anatomical organs; photo credit: Katharina Sabernig
Knitted anatomical organs; photo credit: Katharina Sabernig

“Just What Are We Made Of” is a unique performance of anatomically correct and lovingly knitted wool objects inviting you on a fascinating journey of discovery inside of our bodies. The production premieres at the JKU’s Circus of Knowledge on April 13, at 2:00 PM. Admission is based on voluntary donations, reserve seats at: jku.at/zirkus, opens an external URL in a new window.

Our journey of discovery to explore the mysterious world of the human miracle takes us through a fascinating landscape of our organs in the form of lovingly knitted and anatomically correct wool objects created by physician and anthropologist, Katherina Sabernig. Puppeteer Rebekah Wild brings these beautiful, captivating, and intriguing anatomical works of art to life and the performance is a fascinating combination of science communication in vivid images, animated objects, rhythmic sounds, and spirited emotions!

Circus of Knowledge performances open to the public
The world premiere will take place on Saturday, April 13, at 2:00 PM; there is an additional performance at 4:00 PM, followed by a discussion featuring Prof. Dr.  med. Marion Maria Ruisinger (medical historian and director at the Ingolstadt Museum of Medical History), and Prof. Dr.  med. Thomas Schnalke (head of the Berlin Medical History Museum of the Charité), Moderation: Daniela Hahn BA, curator & image archives at the Josephinum, Medical University of Vienna; Additional performances on Thursday, April 18, at 3:00 PM, and Saturday, April 20, at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Admission to the Circus of Knowledge is based on voluntary donations. Seating is limited; kindly sign up in advance to attend at: www.jku.at/zirkus, opens an external URL in a new window.

There are additional dates available for school classes (most dates are full but some capacity is available).

Production information:

· By Katharina Sabernig, Nora Dirisamer and Rebekah Wild.
· Katharina Sabernig: Idea, concept, object design; play (performer)
· Rebekah Wild: Concept, figure and object theater, play (performer)
· Nora Dirisamer: Concept, script, director
· Alexander Brosch: Compositions and live music, play
· A partnership between the Circus of Knowledge and the University of Applied Arts as part of a research project in support of developments in art, funded by the Austrian Science Fund