Agitation
In collaboration with Alexander Klaubert and Francis Kussatz
Video-Installation and Video-Performance (live version)
Single-channel 4K Stereo 21min
2019
In the video installation “Agitation” a choreographed collection of audio-visual material explores the broad field of political rebellion such as protest movements, strikes and demonstrations. The array of sources includes radio recordings such as an interview with the german-swedish author Peter Weiss in 1981, a smartphone video of a dispute during the Melbourne Women‘s March in 2018, and texts by theoreticians such as Volker Woltersdorff and Joshua Simon.
Through the created interplay historical retrospects are made fruitful for contemporary conflicts and discourses. The shown fights do not only take place between obvious opponents, but also between supposed sympathisers. With the viewers, the search for revolutionary hope within every human being begins. This moment of togetherness is artistically realized by the performer Francis Kussatz entering the projection and occupying the space between viewer and video.
The various performative interactions such as reading, dancing or chanting remain ambivalent. Their empathy, agitation and commentary are both bridges and points of friction for the audience. Initially, the concept for the work consisted of a live performance that premiered in April 2019. The transformation into the cinematic medium was developed as a further step and is thus no documentation. Here, the focus shifts through the guided view of the camera to a concentrated exchange between performer and unknown viewer. The presence of the performer is created by the floor-deep installation of the rear projection foil in the room. Thus facing the viewer life-size.
Agitation
In collaboration with Alexander Klaubert and Francis Kussatz
Video-Installation and Video-Performance (live version)
Single-channel 4K Stereo 21min
2019
In the video installation “Agitation” a choreographed collection of audio-visual material explores the broad field of political rebellion such as protest movements, strikes and demonstrations. The array of sources includes radio recordings such as an interview with the german-swedish author Peter Weiss in 1981, a smartphone video of a dispute during the Melbourne Women‘s March in 2018, and texts by theoreticians such as Volker Woltersdorff and Joshua Simon.
Through the created interplay historical retrospects are made fruitful for contemporary conflicts and discourses. The shown fights do not only take place between obvious opponents, but also between supposed sympathisers. With the viewers, the search for revolutionary hope within every human being begins. This moment of togetherness is artistically realized by the performer Francis Kussatz entering the projection and occupying the space between viewer and video.
The various performative interactions such as reading, dancing or chanting remain ambivalent. Their empathy, agitation and commentary are both bridges and points of friction for the audience. Initially, the concept for the work consisted of a live performance that premiered in April 2019. The transformation into the cinematic medium was developed as a further step and is thus no documentation. Here, the focus shifts through the guided view of the camera to a concentrated exchange between performer and unknown viewer. The presence of the performer is created by the floor-deep installation of the rear projection foil in the room. Thus facing the viewer life-size.