Staging of the masses
The four motifs of the pictures examine the issue of “ornament and mass” in different temporal contexts. Meyerhold’s study of Biomechanics is based on the reflexive energy of Taylorism in theatre. Meyerhold’s Biomechanics and the displayed pictures by Rodchenko from 1936 belong to the avant-garde thinking in Russia at this time. On the other hand, there are motifs that have been taken from photographic documentation of the Soviet bloc between 1970 and 1985. Research in private and government archives, thus the study of the historical background, are part of this work.
For the presentation of these four large paintings I have arranged a display case. Here, the design of the display case is an integral part of the whole work and not in itself a piece of independent free-standing architecture. The display case as stage opens up a new dialogue between the portrayed scenes and the viewer. The showcase offers two views which can be read as two sides of the same coin. It is impossible to see both sides of the same object at the same time. The ambiguity of the motifs and scenes are highlighted by different tones of grey. The painting technique used here indirectly refers to the Taylor system. The constant repetition of one and the same movement is addressed by the regular brush stroke. The object stands in the middle of the room, and by means of the reflection of the floor plan the nature of the ornament is repeated.
In this work I was particularly interested in two aspects – freedom and improvisation in physical activity, as well as staged mass demonstrations and controlled movements in totalitarian regimes, and the gap between freedom and oppression. I’ve been inspired by the theory of Scientific Management (Taylorism) in America, where the work processes on assembly lines of factories were studied and optimised. Above all, I was influenced by Vladimir Bechterev’s study of collective reflexes from 1921 which examined and formulated the social-energetic movements of masses and their application in work organization.
Translation Christian de Lutz
exhibition view, Motorradgruppe nr. 1 and 2
working process, Staging of the masses