The Spirit of Our Time, 2018

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In the video, I am measuring my body in the studio with various measuring instruments, while in the background plays the opening of the opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. The action echoes historical photographs from the field of physical anthropology research, which became common in Europe during the late 19th century. The opera playing was premiered around the same time.
In my measurements, unlike the historical ones, no definite estimate is obtained: since the measurer and measured, the photographer and the photographed are all a one-man show – the actual reliability of the measurement is doubtful as no external reference to it exists.
Through the work, I seek to raise personal issues related to my limits of recognition and visual perception, i.e. my ability to perceive (measure) the world that surrounds me. The title 'The Spirit of Our Time' creates an irony within the work; whilst the phrase seeks to make reference to modern art history and striking historical events, it above all denotes the “now”. However, the actions of self-photography and self-measurement cannot represent anything but the body that plays a part in them.

2018. 9min 53sec

Music: Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, 1966

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