2023 – The great laughing Spectres of the mountain are of no help

Performance from the 29th of October 2023

This project was subsidised by the Bavarian Ministry of Culture and Science and realised as part of the “Das mobile Atelier” residency, an initiative of the BBK Bayern, Hauzenberg

In a granite quarry, a mixture of paraffin, vegetable fibres and graphite from the surrounding area was heated on site and cast onto the rocks.

During this afternoon-long performance, the artist walked along the quarry ridge, moving between the fires. The work consisted initially of massaging the walls with oil, then applying the mixture like bandages or tears covering the cuts left by the extractions. The repetitive action re-enacts the conquering energy deployed by ‘modern man’ in his ascent of the mountain, to finally make it cry.

Picture by Manuel Kreuzer. 20/30 cm. Digital photograph, black and white art print

The ‘skins’ generated over the course of the day were finally torn from the mountainside. These forms are negatives of the landscape. They are empty, rigid shells that resemble long spectres.