Tuesday 1 January 2008

Democratic Medium

Film from outside the Insurance / Tax / Enforcement Authority at Östra Hamngatan in Gothenburg. Click here

Film from kultur i väst: Click here


Description:

The project Democratic Media is a series of speeches held in the public space. The speeches are written in a number of different languages by people in their native language. I have asked them to formulate a speech about something they think is important to them, and suggest a place they want the speech to be held on. I have then, without possessing any of the languages, taught me the speeches by heart. Dressed in costume, the trustworthy official's uniform, I have then performed them at the desired locations. The work raises the issues of democracy, hierarchies and the language as an expression of power. Whose voice is it that speaks, and, above all, who listen.


At present, I have learned eight speeches by heart, in the following languages: German, Serbo-Croatian, Turkish, Russian, Mandarin, Italian, Spanish and Danish.The project has been demonstrated in different variants (installation, performance and film) at the following locations:


• Konstepidemin, Gothenburg, Choosers can't be beggars, june 2010
• Opening Borås international sculpture festival, may 2010
• Infraction, Sète, Montpellier, september 2009
• Infraction, Paris, may 2009
• LiveAction, Gothenburg, Vara, Lidköping, june 2009
• Krets filmfestival, Malmö, january 2009
• Spot city, Gothenburg, october 2008
• Konsthall Trä, Gullspång, juni 2008
• Konsthall C, Stockholm, june 2008
• Konsthallen, Gothenburg, groupexhibition, may 2008
• Galleri Rotor, Gothenburg, Reworking Dissent, august 2007













Speech in Italian - Konstepidemin may 2010.

Speech in German - C F Reuterswärd's vernissage Borås Art Museum may 2010.








Speech in Russian - Valand School of Fine Art, Gothenburg, march 2010.






























Speech in Russian in Brunnsparken in Gothenburg.

Speech in Italian at the market in Sète (France).

Speech in Russian in Brunnsparken in Gothenburg.

Speech in German at the Swedish Institute in Paris.

Speech in German at the Swedish Institute in Paris.

Speech in Serbo-Croatian at the square in Lidköping.















Speech in Italian at the market in Sète (France). On the computer there is a rhythm that I use to 'rap' the speech.

Speech in German at the Swedish Institute in Paris.

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