The ruins of Heidelberg – non plus ultra! – an incomparable idyll of German romanticism.

Tourists admire the ruins, pigeons inhabit them. Both tourists and pigeons are magnetically attracted to these ruins, the eternal postcard motifs of Heidelberg, the infinitely beautiful selfie spot. Pigeons follow their instincts, tourists follow Google Maps. Pigeons bring droppings, tourists bring money.

This  performance in public space encircles the question Where is (my) space? and explores themes such as German identity, social belonging and division. BELLA! NON PLUS ULTRA! views human civilization through the mask of a pigeon. Pigeons largely lead an ostracized existence in western societies and are unwanted, displaced creatures.

The performance connected Heidelberg's tourist mile with BELLA PARK. An impetuous place that is not intended to be a tourist attraction. On the contrary. Far away from the tourist hotspot of Heidelberg's old town, some people would prefer it to disappear, along with all those people who are not intended to be part of the romantic postcard image of Heidelberg. Accompanied by musical interventions, a.o. a choir, an eight-meter-tall, green inflatable pigeon was carried in procession from the Heidelberg's old town to BELLA PARK – posing selfie-like from one postcard motif to the next.

Watch –> Video excerpt <– (vimeo)