The paintings are hung, the descriptions are on the wall, and the guides are ready to tell you some anecdotes about the artist’s life. Yet, the artist is nowhere to be found. Was he stopped at the border? Killed in a bombing? Did he sacrifice his life in a fight?

Regardless, the story is ready to be told. There is someone, who knows the translation to make an artist relatable, but also intellectually palatable. Someone who knows the right words, the perfect pronunciation, and exactly who needs to hear them. Beware—you will be left speechless. The Curator is coming.

Strip away the political, social, and cultural layers—what remains of the artist? Can an artist from the troubled East get lost not in translation, but in interpretation? Or more crucially—can anyone truly control their own story?

OVER THE TOP is a multimedia performance which combines elements of theater, video, fine art and drag. It explores imperialism, toxic masculinity, and queerness. Created by Ukrainian artist Olen Mamai, it is the final project of his Master’s studies in Choreography and Performance at the University of Gießen.

Directing, performance, video: Olen Mamai
Performance, video: Linda Gao-Lenders
Performance: Nastya Dzyuban
Performance, Music: Hanna Launikovich
Video: Daria Maiier, Vladislava Shuster
Costume & Stage Design: Ruth Süpple
Outside eye: Xdzunum Danae Trejo, Paula Moré
Helping hand: Eszter Sonnevend
Support project management: Marie Kübler

Mentorship: Bojana Kunst, Xavier Le Roy, Ruth Schmidt, Martina Ruhsam, Claire Sobottke, Giulia Casartelli

With kind support by Hessische Theaterakademie, Frankfurt Kulturamt, Naspa Stiftung, Gesellschaft der Freunde internationales Theater Frankfurt e.V.