Shaping the Unspoken: Mental Illness, Identity and Artistic Practice

On mental suffering, art and activism

How do you shape stories about mental suffering when society seems to offer no space for these experiences? What images and words would you have liked to see and hear in times of mental suffering? How do you create them and what steps did LENZ take to arrive at Anatomy of a suicide?

The reason for this conversation is the personal and artistic exchange between Erasmus Mackenna (LENZ) and his sibling artist and activist Esméemilja. Based on their shared experiences with recovery processes, identity development and psychological suffering, they reflect on the themes of the performance. What does recovery mean in a world that often seems to offer no place for those who deviate from the norm? How can art and activism contribute to a more inclusive society?

Moderator Berthe Spoelstra will talk to Erasmus, Esméemilja, Marit Hooijschuur and Roel Pronk, among others.

Accessibility and Language

This conversation will be in English. The play Anatomy of a Suicide is a Dutch-language performance (and cannot be subtitled due to the complexity of the material). LENZ hopes that this panel discussion will provide access for those who cannot experience the performance themselves to think further and discuss the themes. It is not a requirement to have seen Anatomy of a Suicide.