“When we love we can make our hearts speak.” #bellhooks
Based on bell hooks’ book All About Love, Is There Love in Berlin? is a participatory lecture performance that delves into the complexities of love and friendships in the city, particularly focusing on the immigrant population. Through this lecture, Camila invites the audience to reflect on love, humanity, and the universal need to be part of a community, exploring these themes through personal discussions.
After collecting love stories from local residents and historical narratives from the city, documented through audio recordings, photos, videos, and writings, the artist created a multimedia collage that forms the structure of the lecture performance. In total, it lasts 90 minutes, with a 20-minute pause. During the pause, the audience can also participate by sharing their own stories and thoughts, responding to a questionnaire inspired by the themes explored during the research process.
- Did you ever have a story of love in Berlin? If yes, did you suffer from the racism of your partner? Or had you ever been racist with your partner?
- Do you have friends in Berlin that you love?
- Is there love in Berlin?
The project began in 2017 as part of the B-Tour Festival, curated by Yael Sherril. The premiere was so well-attended that it led to an additional presentation at the festival. Later that year, the project was also invited to be featured at the Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek as part of the “Aktion Offener Sonntag” program, curated by Sonntagsbureau.
Moments from the lecture-performance can be viewed here:
Berlin, 2017
A wonderful event, wholeheartedly thought and beautifully presented. You can feel the words coming out of Camila’s heart, and right into your own. Sehr zu empfehlen!! M. Haten Hamdy
2017 B-Tour Festival, Berlin, Germany, curated by Yael Sherril.
2017 Amerika Gedenk-bibliothek, part of the program 'Aktion offener Sonntag`, curated by Sonntagsbureau.
At the Amerika-Gedenkbibliothek in Berlin, as part of Sonntagsbureau, 2017
Is There Love in Berlin? consistently drew large audiences. Here is the link to the Facebook event and the 2K people who attended:
https://www.facebook.com/events/152207042083792/