CUPPA CHAR

Black or Green? Milk or Cream?

Enduring the mundane with a cup of tea … The fusion of contrasting civilisations and societies governs global everyday life. In contrast to this are traditions and rituals causing and affirming personal cultural or religious identity.

CUPPA CHAR (a common British phrase for “cup of tea”) explores the area of tension between individuality, ritual and cultural identity through the rituals of tea drinking. People drink tea all over the world, its rituals of preparation go far beyond the simple question: “black or green?”.

Like many cultural traditions tea rituals can influence cultural identity, signify affinity to a social grouping, and can be a warming reminder of a distant home; unlike the uniform blend of today’s “coffee-to-go” culture. But how much authenticity is infused in the traditional or imported Zen?

How much compulsion in repetitive rituals? What physicality manifests itself in the repetitive posture of choreographed tea ceremonies? Which misunderstandings arise in the meeting of differing cultural rituals? And when do irritations change suddenly into grotesque humour?

One lump or two? Milk or lemon? Both?

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CUPPA CHAR is a project by Canan Erek in Co-Production with kultursprünge at Ballhaus Naunynstraβe:

Funded by:

In Cooperation with:

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