Friendly Makeover Club
Do you think that strangers can sometimes help each other better than people who are already in a relationship? Are you overwhelmed by your daily life, your to-do list for someday, and your bad habits, but know exactly what others need to do to become the best version of themselves? Do you secretly wish someone would take charge of your life – at least temporarily, at least in one area? Do you wish for a makeover?
“Makeover” cannot be easily translated; depending on the context, it can mean a style makeover, a complete renewal, or a revision. TV makeover shows like “Queer Eye” (Netflix) transform apartments, wardrobes, and entire lives through the intervention of experts who renovate, shop, cut hair, cook, and always serve as personal coaches in the process.
As part of the 21st edition of Videonale, the Friendly Makeover Club invites you to join us in taking an artistic look at the reality TV makeover format, the corresponding longings and unmet needs in our own lives, and possible alternatives to self-optimization. The Cologne-based dance ensemble SANFTE ARBEIT, in collaboration with video artist Ale Bachlechner, is organizing six meetings from September to November 2026, during which we will reflect together – through performance, text, and movement – on experiences and possibilities of mutual care. These sessions can also serve as a starting point for self-organized groups of participants to help one another, receive support, or successfully resist changes. In November, filming will take place for a new video work that will incorporate the reflections of the Friendly Makeover Club. Participants of the Friendly Makeover Club can be involved in this video work in various ways; there are no expectations or obligations in this regard. The project and the initial results of the video work will be presented at the end of the year at an event of VIDEONALE.21 in Bad Godesberg.
VIDEONALE.21 takes place in Bonn from April 30 to June 13, 2027 (opening: April 29, 2027) under the title „C´est tout une maison (It´s all a house)“. The kick-off program starts as early as October 2026. The project 'Friendly Makeover Club' is part of this kick-off program.
Kick-off meeting: Mo 07. September, 18:00–20:00
Location: Zentrenmanagement Bad Godesberg, Am Fronhof 10
Who it's for: primarily, but not exclusively, queer people and anyone interested in non-normative, experimental care
Please register by September 1 and direct any questions to:
Elsa Artmann, friendlymakeoverclub@protonmail.com
Further dates (attendance is not required): Mo 21.09., Mo 05.10., Mo 19.10., Mo 02.11., Tu 24.11. each from 18:00–20:00
On this page you can find out more about the ensemble SANFTE ARBEIT and the participating artists.
The project Friendly Makeover Club is a cooperation between Videonale e.V. and Digitalstudio frankaflux.
The project is funded by
In cooperation with