LET’S GET READY TO RRRUMBLE!!
Issue Wrestling serves as a platform to confront social issues through the spectacle of wrestling, providing an unconventional arena for open discourse within a community. Issue Wrestling investigates whether a wrestling match can foster connection and stimulate a dialogue by magnifying differences in a lighthearted manner. Through surveys and neighborhood gatherings, the characters, script, and costumes were developed.
The project aimed to provide an alternative platform for addressing local issues and promoting social discourse while engaging with the community in an enjoyable and memorable event.
Issue Wrestling is made possible with financial contributions from CBK Rotterdam, Opzoomer Mee Bewoner Idee, Municipality of Rotterdam, Kunstblock and WORM and the efforts of local residents (‘special thanks to Perry Kruithof, Ivan Winter, Jopie Alleman from Dorpshuis de Coolenkit) and entrepreneurs from Cool / Witte de Withkwartier).
Issue wrestling underwent further development through co-production with Popfabryk, Explore the North, and Jonge Harten. It delved into the themes surrounding the attainment and the advent of the European Capital of Culture Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018 (Explore the North festival in Leeuwarden) and the municipal elections in Groningen (Jonge Harten Festival).
