The Lecture-Performance “The Anthem of the New Earth / Remastered” by Vanja Smiljanić is dedicated to her experiences with the religious movement of the Cosmic People as well as to her efforts to realize a group performance during a total solar eclipse. She refers to four constellations: the group of the eclipse hunters, the religious community of the Cosmic People, the group of amateur radio astronomers and the fellowship amongst artists. Smiljanić draws especially on the anthem of the Cosmic People, “The Anthem of the New Earth” in order to discuss the paradox of the use of a totalitarian and patriotic apparatus within the conversion of trans - individuation that permeates the whole structure of the anthem. But due to the reference that this is “The Anthem of the New Earth”, an abstract space full of potential evolves. While the artist addresses the questions why and where something - as well as what actually - happens during a solar eclipse in meticulous detail, the audience is invited to imagine its own concept of a new earth and to speculate about its social structure.

Vanja Smiljanić (*1986 Belgrade, lives in Cologne) studied at the Universidade de Lisboa painting and received an M.A. in Artistic Research from the Dutch Art Institute/MFA ArtEZ in Arnhem. In addition, she holds a degree in Performance and Stage Design from the A. pass Posthogeschool voor Podiumkunsten vzw in Brussels. Performances, i.a.: Schauspiel Köln; Kunsthalle Düsseldorf; Ufer Studios, Berlin; Cinefamily, Los Angeles; Beethovenfest, Bonn; Villa Romana, Florence; Drodesera Performance Festival, Dro; Kondenz Festival, Belgrade; Kim? - Contemporary Art Centre, Riga; PAC, Milan.