Moritz Ostruschnjak:
Non + Ultras

A dance performance by German choreographer Moritz Ostruschnjak, Non+Ultras explores the mechanisms of collective belonging, fanaticism and political protest through a high-powered fusion of contemporary dance, urban dance practices, video and music. Hundreds of supporters’ scarves appear on stage, while the football pitch becomes a metaphor for contemporary society, bringing together sport, politics, social media and the culture of spectacle 

The performance draws on the visual and emotional world of football fans, yet transcends the realm of sport. Eight dancers in everyday clothing create highly intense group scenes reminiscent of fan choreographies, protest marches or collective rituals. The movement constantly shifts between shared euphoria and the loss of individual identity, between a sense of belonging and the danger of blindly following the group.

Ostruschnjak employs the logic of social media: rapid shifts in images, sound and meaning create a flow of information connecting football fans, political protesters, pop culture idols and media spectacles. On stage, stadium chants, match footage, scenes of unrest and large gatherings intertwine, revealing the similarities between different forms of collective identification.
The central symbol of the performance is a supporters’ scarf, constantly changing in the dancers’ hands – becoming a flag, a mask, a weapon, a unifying element or a token of belonging. In this way, the performance raises questions about why people seek community, how collective movements emerge, and how enthusiasm can morph into a political or ideological force.