For the graduation show of theater education ATKA, Studio Koen Steger was asked to design the set. The story features a group of young people who fear how the world is evolving and want to take action as a result. An attack against the European parliament is in the making and instead of performing as individuals, the participants want to feel and act as a group – as one.

Repetitive behaviour to become one

The idea for the decor was inspired by sand mandalas – beautiful sand patterns created by Tibetan monks which are then promptly destroyed. The set represents a modern version of a mandala, where a geometrical pattern is being built metaphysically or symbolically, representing the cosmos – an image from the subconscious. Prior to the start of the play, the actors began to create their own mandala with an endless number of objects. Through the use of these objects, they created a new geometrical whole, almost like an army. This drives the actors to a point of utter concentration. The audience takes their seat and watch as the actors shape a new world together, before they step into it. At the height of this meditative repetition, they destroy the neatly placed objects, and start the performance as one.