Sancta
Florentina Holzinger, an Austrian choreographer, director, and performance artist, was born on January 8, 1986. She completed her studies at the Amsterdam University of the Arts. On stage, she often incorporates all-female casts and explores themes of nudity and sexuality in her performances. Keep an eye out for Holzinger in the Netherlands, Austria, or Germany. These spots are where she likes to spend her time. Noteworthy performances, to mention are Tanz 2019, A Divine Comedy 2021, and Ophelia’s Got Talent 2022. Most recent is Holzinger’s debut opera, Sancta which draws inspiration from Paul Hindemith’s Expressionist one-act opera Sancta Susanna, composed in 1921. At the heart of the story is Susanna, a nun, who finds herself unable to resist the advances of her maid-servant, leading to a vital turning point in the plot where Susanna conducts a satanic ritual using the language of Latin. Alarmed by Susanna’s actions, another sister takes it upon herself to share a story about a nun who yielded to her forbidden desires, only to suffer the severe consequence of being sealed away behind the altar. Holzinger pushes the boundaries of artistic by incorporating naked roller skating nuns, live sex, and thought-provoking themes centered on lesbian relationships. Holzinger seeks to challenge Christian rituals and condemn the sexual oppression of women. Out of the audience, 18 people fell ill, with 3 individuals requiring medical treatment. People have bought all the tickets for the remaining shows at the Stuttgart state opera and two performances at Berlin’s Volksbühne in November 2024.
Fig 1. Florentina Holzinger
Fig 2. Florentina Holzinger, Saioa Alvarez
Brief Intro into Body Horror
Body horror is a horror subgenre that aims to provoke unsettling attacks on the human body. The manifestations of these invasions include abnormal sex, mutilation and fetishization. Concepts involve possession, sexual assault, self-harm, bodily fluid discharge, birth, and disease. The experience of overwhelming fear can trigger individuals to dig into their own micro psychosis or initiate a process of introspection to explore their own dissociation. With the themes of body horror, the focus shifts from sexual organs to the eroticization of intrusive forces. By suspending an explanation, invasions can manifest themselves as startling supernatural occurrences. Although it’s a speculation, it’s possible that Holzinger is interested in religious themes and imagined beliefs for this reason. However, the audience has a limited amount of time to both process events and engage in introspection. Considering the influence of metaphors on belief systems and questioning one’s perception of authority might have a later effect.
Fig 3. Body + Freedom. Florentina Holzinger, Nils Amadeus, Lange Vincent, Riebeek Manuel Scheiwiller Basis for live art Dansmakers Amsterdam
Fig 4. Dissappearing Berlin Florentina Holzinger. Photo by Silke Briel
Fig 5. Florentina Holzinger. Photo by Nada Žgank
Picking the Brain
Holzinger’s explorations are not unlike those of the Aghora Sadhus. These Sadhus follow ascetic Shaivism and do not consider nudity, live sex, self-mutilation, defecation themes, and live piercing as taboo. Understanding oneness eliminates discrimination. By considering all factors, one can say that God is the embodiment of everything. But, most of us don’t witness these situations happening in public. As individuals with heightened sensitivity, it is crucial to recognize that by acting as witnesses; we become accomplices entangled within our own emotional experiences. It is only by watching a performance that we can determine whether that statement holds true.
Fig 6. Florentina Holzinger
Fig.6a
In the extended Premium edition of the article you can find more fascinating insights (and images!) into the disturbing performances of Florentina Holzinger.
Click HERE for the bloody bacchanalias and dying Gods in The Orgies Mysteries Theater of Hermann Nitsch
What do you think about the aesthetics of Holzinger's performances? Think you might become unwell? Leave your reaction in the comment box below!
