2022, Installation, Collective Space - Kassel (Germany)
2023, Performance - Yaoundé (Cameroon)
"Je suis asservi" is a multimedia performance project integrating diverse perspectives since April 2023, emerging from a collaboration among Éméyékété Oloko Paul Sylvestre, Enandjoum Essoh Pierre Leroy, Manuella Welashey and Robert Rickli. The project navigates between enslavement and an ecological viewpoint, using rotation, repetition, and the spiral motif as connecting elements. Reflecting on phenomena like poverty cycles and violence, it draws from Bayo Akomolafe's "ant spiral" metaphor to contemplate human impact on the environment. The performance features ritualistic gestures, traditional dance, and circling around a mysterious gravitational center, prompting reflection on societal challenges and advocating for tolerance of diverse perspectives.
"Untot | 250 Meter unter der Haut" is a performance exploring the impact of coal mining and climate change. It depicts coal as ancient plants disrupted from their resting place, haunting the atmosphere as CO2. Artists, architects, and activists unite against the destruction caused by Garzweiler II mine expansion. Through dialogue and ritual, they confront the violence of extractivism and its effects on ecosystems and communities. The performance delves into the deep history of coal formation, the activism against its extraction, and the regenerative potential of embracing alternative narratives. It culminates in a symbolic merging of the activists with coal, acknowledging their intertwined fates and calling for collective action and forgiveness. The piece challenges viewers to confront their complicity in environmental destruction and to envision a more sustainable future.
The Ex-Trahere Matrix project explores the connection between colonialism and climate justice, focusing on the perspectives of artists and activists from Cameroon. Through a performance lecture, it delves into the entanglement of environmental destruction, colonial history, and climate change. The project aims to amplify the voices of local communities, highlighting their experiences and challenges in the face of climate injustice.
2023, Research, Video and Stage Design - (Cameroon, Germany & Togo)
In Lützerath, where a protest camp and crystallisation point of the German climate justice movement existed for about two and a half years, this habitable art object was created, with niches and spaces for different forms of life. The object was mainly made of recycled material. Beyond its material presence, however, the “Rotkoehlchen” has above all brought people together and politicised them.
The festival, held on January 6th and 7th in Keyenberg and Lützerath, was a focal point for protests against destructive coal mining and for climate justice, embodying resistance and a lived utopia amidst threats of destruction. Organized by Glützerlight and Cheers for Fears, it featured performances, discussions, and workshops, showcasing the spirit of resistance despite challenges from RWE's restrictions.
2023, Festival - Lützerath (Germany)
The Restitution Art Lab has processed the discussion about cultural objects stolen during the colonial era using concrete examples and made it accessible to a broad public. Artists, experts and activists from Germany, Cameroon, Angola and Portugal met for the Restitution Art Lab.
2022, Costume & Stage Design - Volksbühne, Berlin (Germany)
As part of the “Eko-System” of the Documenta Fifteen, a space was held, where activists and the art scene met. Both art and activism produce spaces of freedom where social unfolding, renegotiation and ultimately change become possible. The exhibition focused on global exploitation, particularly the coal mining in the Rhineland area as well as the 500-year struggle of colonized people against exploitative and capitalist violence.
together with: Jana Bauch, Yvonne Feder, Seila Fernández Arconada and Bernard Fairhurst for Functional Collaborative Futures Collective, Fridays For Future, Marie Höltje, Minji Kang, Leila Kleemann, Mariesol Kleff, Amarin Lawton, Jin-Seok Lee, Hannah Linden, Yusri Mohammed and Nadine Schomburg for KlimaGesichter, Daniela Medina Poch, Nina-Sophie Raach, Gregor Schneider and many more...
The art academy is a place that brings people, plants, things and spaces together. In this respect, it is also a place where we can change this coming together. Together we analyse the foundations and forms of environmental catastrophe and open up perspectives on what new forms of co-existence beyond the destructive ecological present might look like.
https://re-ac-now.de/
2022, Soundinstallation - Düsseldorf (Germany)
A continuous drone imposes itself on the tranquillity of the village. Subliminal and quickly forgotten, it is sometimes only noticed when it is no longer there.
2022, Performance - Düsseldorf (Germany)
The tent was my second home for many years. At many protest camps I rather expected it to be destroyed by the police or fascists. In the end, it was a force of nature, the storms in the winter of 2022, that lifted it off the ground and literally tore it apart. In this performative act, like a ritual, I tried to put it up again and clean it, to say goodbye to it.
together with: Kayo Goede, Camie Rüther, Christina Sauer, Dings, Morsch, Schlunz, Sturm, Tigal, other anonymous activists and
all those who have made Lützerath possible
A fluid exhibition, envisioning the art space as an atelier, meeting place, and site of participation, fostering a living space that organically pulsed throughout the exhibition period. It was community work and a playground, evolving constantly through the contributions of everyone.
together with: Noemi Jeschke , Greta Heithoff, Judith Cürvers, Christina Sauer, Laura Kolar, Kayo Goede, Greta Bartelmeß, Kanade Hamawaki, Melwin Funk, Carlotta Löschwill & Denis Oechsle
“Nostalgie de la boue” is an exploration on the threshold of living ecosystems and expanding hostile territories. From the edge of an extraterrestrial appearing site of extractivism, life forms have been evacuated to infiltrate the monocultural desert of the exhibition space.
2021, Performance - Theater der Welt Festival, Düsseldorf (Germany)
The performers invited to come together and to appropriate and transform the public spaces sensually and playfully. Furthermore, they transformed themselves; as part of an ant state they opened themselves beyond their own minds and entrusted themselves to the impulses and instincts of the collective.
ROBERT RICKLI is an interdisciplinary artist, painter and scenographer with a focus on climate justice. He organizes events and collaborates with activists.
Je Suis Asservi
Ex-Trahere Matrix: Cameroon
untot | 250 Meter unter der Haut
Hold Your Ground
another world is possible
Restitution Art Lab
re:ac now
am Ende war’s der Wind
wenn du nicht da bist
Rotkœhlchen
Potent Ground. Go and find me in the land of stiring sand and serendipity
nostalgie de la boue
Beelines
Scherz, List und Rache
In Goethe's comedic narrative, a youthful duo plots to deceive a wealthy doctor of his wealth. The stage is characterized by a clinical ambiance, with white surfaces echoing the aesthetics in between a medical facility, beauty salon, and television studio.
together with: Dr. S.C. Herz, Director: Thilo Reinhardt, Musical Director: Stephan E. Wehr, Piano: Stephan E. Wehr, Thomas Aydintan, Stage and Costume: Jonas Müller, Robert Rickli, Christina Sauer, Karo Schultz, Engineering: René Meffert, Documentation: Michael Maurissens, Maurits Boettger, Actors/Singers: SCAPINE: Elena Plaza Cebrián, Haram Lyu, SCAPIN: Leilei Xie, Niklaus Loosli, DOCTOR: Soowon Han, Kecheng Zhao
The painting series explores themes of loss, chaos, and rediscovery, inspired by personal experiences in 2023 and influenced by philosophical lectures and literary works. Through abstract compositions and layered symbolism, the artist reflects on roots, memory, and connection to nature, invoking imagery of cows, landscapes, and offerings. The series delves into themes of transformation, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersection of personal narrative and collective consciousness.
2024, Paintings - Prague (Czech Republic)
rainseason
The series explores themes of creation, reflection of origins, and transformation. Inspired by Pascal Kenfack's methodology, the artist incorporates symbols and layers to evoke a sense of connection to their roots. Works from the series depict vivid imagery and abstract compositions, reflecting personal experiences and cultural influences. Through mixed media techniques and experimentation, the series delves into concepts of identity, memory, and the cyclical nature of existence.
"Up:rooted" (German: ent:wurzelt) explores themes of uprooting and displacement, highlighting the loss of soil and its consequences such as migration and ecological disruption. Through vibrant paintings and multimedia installations, the exhibition prompts reflection on identity, connection, and collective responsibility in the face of global challenges like war and environmental degradation. It encourages viewers to reconsider their relationship to the earth and advocates for the creation of new forms of belonging suited to our rapidly changing world.