«YOU CANNOT CAN»
Dana Michel

Performance artist Dana Michel considers the ability to swim to be one of the ways in which we might embody self-trust and wonders why, despite many attempts at learning, she still cannot really feel at ease in the water. And what is it that holds back the majority of her family from swimming, despite hailing from an island that is surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea? How safe can you feel in the world if you cannot float in the liquid that makes up a large part of your body?

In order to explore these questions, Michel created the solo ‘YOU CANNOT CAN’ in a swimming pool. Surrounded by the audience, she wades inside global histories and socio-economic realities of swimming and safe access to water. She uses her kaleidoscopically-curious approach to focus on how we might shake off fears. Might this watery adventure be an entry point to ultimate liberation?

Information on accessibility and language

• Access: The performance takes place at the Altstetten indoor swimming pool. The building is accessible via a ramp or nine steps. The area around the non-swimmers’ pool, where the performance takes place, is accessible via a lift without any steps. The passageway between the seating area and the swimming pool is 170 cm wide on the long side of the pool and 122 cm wide on the short side. It is possible to watch the performance from a step-free gallery with a handrail (height 95 cm). This is located on the same level as the entrance area. There are two wheelchair spaces, two beanbags and three chairs. Accessible toilets are available on the same level as the swimming pool via a lift. In the event of an evacuation, the audience in the area around the swimming pool cannot be evacuated via the lift, but only via a staircase with nine steps. One member of the Gessnerallee team and one member of the indoor swimming pool team are responsible for the evacuation.

• Duration: The performance lasts 60 minutes.

• Language: There is no spoken language.

• Content notes: The performer is at times dressed only in a swimsuit. The work explores the fear of water and the inability to swim.

• Sensory stimuli: The temperature in the swimming pool is 30° Celsius and the humidity is 65%.The performance makes use of natural, incoming light and the lighting in the swimming pool. The swimming pool smells of chlorine. There is occasional intermittent banging, vocalisations, and other sound-making.

• Preparations for the performance at the Altstetten indoor swimming pool are still underway, so information regarding accessibility will be added by early September.

• For sold-out performances, we reserve a small number of accessible seats (wheelchair spaces and beanbags). We kindly ask that anyone requiring accessibility support contact kasse@gessnerallee.ch.