Hendrik Quast

Hendrik Quast has learned the art of ventriloquism to explore an underappreciated organ: the intestines. His own body becomes the setting of an artistic exploration of (chronic) illness and humor that pushes beyond taboos—with the artist literally speaking from the gut. In dialogue with his ailing ventriloquist dummy, Quast takes the audience on a metaphorical journey through the peculiarities and pathologies of the bowel and discusses shame, illness, and self-determination.

Hendrik Quast (1985, Celle, Germany) is a theater artist and performer. His work is characterized by a preference for topics that probe the boundaries of social taboos, an unconventional sense of humor, and meticulous research. His work has been presented at venues such as Sophiensæle, Berlin; Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm, Frankfurt am Main; Gessnerallee, Zurich; FFT Düsseldorf; RAMPE, Stuttgart; and Kampnagel, Hamburg. For several years now, Quast has focused primarily on the artistic exploration of disability, chronic illness, queerness, and classism, using comedy as a performative strategy. He lives in Berlin.