Zero
Wish
I would prefer to smash this ridiculous world to pieces with my sword,
in order to create the opportunity to build something new,
something more beautiful together.
But when I look at what I have in my hands, it is not a sword at all,
rather it is something fragile,
which needs all my care to bring that one moment of tenderness
to the one who will behold it.
One
Holes in the time
I once met a mad poet who was shouting around, addressing nobody in particular:
Put a Finger between the Time!
I understood immediately, but it took me some twenty years to take it serious in all consequence and
concentrate on just that: making holes in the time
I do this as an artist and invite others to do so as a curator-organizer of live art events
Two
So important...
In this world of enlightened heroes like politicians, sportsmen, terrorists, businessmen, gurus, famous artists and whatever trademarked darlings of global media, I like the small corners of performance art. I like to be busy with themes that are recognizable for everybody: the joys and fear of relating, the longing for and shying away from contact, the getting entangled in a swamp of emotions, desperately trying, getting lost in futile attempts for importance, the illusion of certainty.
My performances are based on trust in my body. I like its movements, its expressions, and most of all its downright honesty. Preparing for a performance means stripping away all kinds of illusion. The leftover is a need to add something, something else, something new to what life is offering me. I am amazed myself that time and again this is possible with the simplest materials.
Three
Is it action art, performance art or live art...
Getting pretty confused about all possible terms to define this brand of art?
"Performance" is the label mostly used for any "strange" action. The suffix "art" is tolerated as long as it is not emphasized... "Performance" is also used to describe acceleration, endurance, speed etc. The term "performance art" has long been used as a stamp for any action that is not to be taken serious.
Sooo, is it time to look for a new term?
On one hand I find "live art" sympathetic but as a statement too wide.
Even more sympathetic is "action art", not least because of the rich tradition of "acciones" in Spain. But then, it might be too short to include any non-action...
Why not introducing yet another term like "body poetry" or what, just to be faithful to the true artists eternal drive to escape definitions and refocus on new horizons.
Because this is at the root of this art form: it's new, it's real, it's ephemeral.
And then I read Marilyn Arsem's text "this is performance art" and I find my thoughts written down, I hear myself exclaim "yes, that's telling it" and it reminds me that I belong to an extended group of likewise artists.
So i will keep on using the term "performance art" for my actions.
And, for those moments that the individual drive is bigger than the need to belong, I'll say "body poetry" or "action art" or, to include it all: "live art".
Wish
I would prefer to smash this ridiculous world to pieces with my sword,
in order to create the opportunity to build something new,
something more beautiful together.
But when I look at what I have in my hands, it is not a sword at all,
rather it is something fragile,
which needs all my care to bring that one moment of tenderness
to the one who will behold it.
One
Holes in the time
I once met a mad poet who was shouting around, addressing nobody in particular:
Put a Finger between the Time!
I understood immediately, but it took me some twenty years to take it serious in all consequence and
concentrate on just that: making holes in the time
I do this as an artist and invite others to do so as a curator-organizer of live art events
Two
So important...
In this world of enlightened heroes like politicians, sportsmen, terrorists, businessmen, gurus, famous artists and whatever trademarked darlings of global media, I like the small corners of performance art. I like to be busy with themes that are recognizable for everybody: the joys and fear of relating, the longing for and shying away from contact, the getting entangled in a swamp of emotions, desperately trying, getting lost in futile attempts for importance, the illusion of certainty.
My performances are based on trust in my body. I like its movements, its expressions, and most of all its downright honesty. Preparing for a performance means stripping away all kinds of illusion. The leftover is a need to add something, something else, something new to what life is offering me. I am amazed myself that time and again this is possible with the simplest materials.
Three
Is it action art, performance art or live art...
Getting pretty confused about all possible terms to define this brand of art?
"Performance" is the label mostly used for any "strange" action. The suffix "art" is tolerated as long as it is not emphasized... "Performance" is also used to describe acceleration, endurance, speed etc. The term "performance art" has long been used as a stamp for any action that is not to be taken serious.
Sooo, is it time to look for a new term?
On one hand I find "live art" sympathetic but as a statement too wide.
Even more sympathetic is "action art", not least because of the rich tradition of "acciones" in Spain. But then, it might be too short to include any non-action...
Why not introducing yet another term like "body poetry" or what, just to be faithful to the true artists eternal drive to escape definitions and refocus on new horizons.
Because this is at the root of this art form: it's new, it's real, it's ephemeral.
And then I read Marilyn Arsem's text "this is performance art" and I find my thoughts written down, I hear myself exclaim "yes, that's telling it" and it reminds me that I belong to an extended group of likewise artists.
So i will keep on using the term "performance art" for my actions.
And, for those moments that the individual drive is bigger than the need to belong, I'll say "body poetry" or "action art" or, to include it all: "live art".
