Contradictory Statements

  • Michèle Graf & Selina Grüter

The exhibition is curated by Balthazar Lovay

The exhibition Contradictory Statements consists of a platform, a recurring spoken word performance, its transcription, its text projected on the wall, an online pad communicating the text in German and its translation into English and French, and a poster using the typeface Marianne Baum hanging in the adjacent room.

At its heart is the performance Contradictory Statements, which takes place during Friart opening hours throughout the duration of the exhibition. Six performers stand on the platform. The first starts by stating the only rule, a reference to John Miller’s 1977 video work: “In this piece, each person will contradict the person that came before”. Each then contradicts the performer speaking before them, generating a never-ending improvised dialogue. This dialogue has no theme and has the potential to cover any topic. Within the confines and latitude of its own premise, it is as predictable as it is unpredictable.

Michèle Graf and Selina Grüter (*1987, *1991, Zurich, Switzerland) are based in Berlin and Zurich. Recent exhibitions and performances include Throws and Catches, Plymouth Rock, Zurich (2017); Lunar Intervals, Swiss Institute New York City/Emily Harvey Foundation, New York City (2017); in relation to a Spectator:, Kestnergesellschaft, Hanover (2017); Rehearsing Intra-Activity, LISTE Performance Project, Basel (2017) and Unruly Relations, Kunsthaus Glarus (2016). Graf and Grüter co-run the artist-run space Taylor Macklin in Zurich.

WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF

Julia Barmettler, Livio Casanova, Lea-Nina Fischer, Vanessa Gageos, Michèle Graf, Selina Grüter, Toni Hildebrandt, Fiona Könz, Varun Kumar, Marinka Limat, Manuela Luterbacher, Vera Lutz, Alizé Rose-May Monod,  Felix Mura, Tina Odermatt, Aldir Polymeris, Andrea Raemy, Christoph Studer-Harper, Benjamin Sunarjo, Zacharias Wackwitz.

PARTNERS

Kanton Zurich, Fachstelle Kultur, Ernst und Olga Gubler–Hablützel Stiftung, Agglomération de Fribourg, Canton de Fribourg, Loterie Romande, Ville de Fribourg, Migros kulturprozent, Pro Helvetia, Fondation suisse pour la culture, Liip AG

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