Dienstag, 27. Juni 2017

the lure of modernism (documentation)


The installation the lure of modernism creates an experimental setting in which the visitor can experience and research the narrow border between fear and ecstasy, adrenaline and endorphins, toxicity and intoxication.  
In this, it tries to find a metaphor for our global ecological situation, which can be described like this: although we live in the constant fear that our machine-dependent lifestyles will be - in the long run - deadly for most of us (humanity as we know it), we still seem to be stuck with it. We know of its danger, but we are mesmerized by it. We are hooked on what will eventually kill us.


In the setting of the installation, the potentially lethal gas is Carbon Monoxide (CO), emitted from a combustion engine producing electricity for the other necessary machines: a leafs blower and an LED-board.
The level of CO inside the installation ranges from 150 to 500 ppm. Given that the legal limit for an 8 hours working day in Austria and Germany is 35 ppm, the level is 5 to 15 times higher than the permitted maximum. If the visitor would stay inside for 2 to 3 hours, s/he would get a headache and nausea. However, nobody is allowed to stay in longer than for an absolute maximum of 10 minutes. 
Before entering (maximum 3 people at a time) the visitor(s) are told, that inside the room they will encounter a very messy entanglement of nature (as leafs) and culture (as plastic garbage). As machine-optimistic environmentalists (as we all are) our task is to separate the two neatly. For this purpose, machines have been provided. The visitor is asked to blow the plastic garbage out of the window (this is how we deal with ecological problems: we get them out of sight) using the leafs blower. However s/he is also warned, that the more use of the machines are made, the more toxic the room will get.


Most visitors stay in for the maximum of the time, resulting in the need to ask them out. They enjoy the task of "cleaning up nature" with the loud and smelly machinery and fall prey to the lure of modernism. It is not by accident that the leafs blower is a very phallic machine. In entering, most people's bodies go into some "danger mode", their blood's adrenaline level rises and they are increasingly alert. However, when they take up the phallus, they become subjects, degrading the environment to a passive assemblage of objects. Out of this results a certain feeling of power and ecstasy. The toxic gases and the loud noise becomes an anthem and further stimuli to their agency as powerful humans, dominating nature. In this feeling, which the installation allures us into, we become unaware of our ecological situation and fall in love with the highly dangerous status quo of the environment.



The installation was the diploma work of my MA in Arts&Science at the University of Applied Arts Vienna and has been awarded with the recognition price of the city of Vienna. It has been on display from 15th to 22nd of June 2017 at Expositur Hohenstaufengasse in Vienna. Further exhibits are planed (if you are interested, do not hesitate to contact me). 



 

Donnerstag, 22. Juni 2017

Philosophy Unbound #17 - Bullshit


This Saturday, Philosophy Unbound will examine the vast realms of bullshit, gibberish and non-sense!

Sehr geehrte Forschungsgemeinde, liebe Bullshitologinnen und Bullshitologen, wir laden zum ersten internationalen Bullshitologiekongress! / Dear scientific community, most honoured fellow bullshitologists, we are very pleased to invite you to the first international congress on Bullshitology!

Contributions by (all in German this time)
Sebastian Lederle
Monsterfrau & Herbert Lacina
Mae Lune
Claudia Ungersbäck
Walter Ego
Yasmin Ritschl & Sandro Huber

The afterparty will take place at Wiener Freiheit!


Entry: Free Donation - Suggestion 5€ (we are a No-Budget Organisation: everything will go to the performers)

24th of June 2017 - 20h (sharp)
at Spektakel Wien, Hamburger Straße 14, 1050 Vienna 


detailed program on philosophyunbound.tumblr.com

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Donnerstag, 8. Juni 2017

the lure of modernism


"How do the machines bewitch us?
In his installation the lure of modernism, Kilian Jörg explores the blurry border between fear and ecstasy, adrenaline and endorphins and finds a sensual metaphor for our contemporary situation. Although we know that our frantic machine of permanent progress will most likely end up being lethal for most of humanity, we still stick with it. We know we have to change, but we cannot. To better understand this dangerous standstill, the installation invites the spectator to inhale the dirt of the machine with joy."

From 15th to 22nd of June I am presenting my installation the lure of modernism at Expositur Hohenstaufengasse 9, SR 94 on the fifth floor. The main actor of the installation will be Carbon Monoxide, accompanied by a power engine, a leaves blower, an LED board and loads of garbage. I cordially invite you to visit the exhibition and to feel the lure of modernism with your own body*.

The installation will be open from
15th to 22nd of June from 16-18h (or by appointment: kilian[at]jorg[dot]at)
at Expositur Hohenstaufengasse 9, 1010 Vienna, 5th floor, Seminarraum 94





*In the installation, controlled levels of the poisonous gas Carbon Monoxide will be emitted. You will be asked to sign a letter of informed consent for entering and are strongly dis-encouraged to enter if you are pregnant or have a heart condition. If this is not the case, the effects of the gas for the maximum stay of 10 minuted should have no negative effects.

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Interacting Performance:


B Ajay Sharma: Holding your breath is equal to protest
On Sunday, 18th of June, Indian performance artist B Ajay Sharma will do a guest performance inside the installation. He will do an interactive piece on Yogic breathing techniques and air pollution. The Delhi - one of the most polluted cities of the world - resident is examining Swar Yoga to hold you breath in toxic environments.This training is a cynical reference to survival for in times of political turmoil, where people are suggested to buy oxygen masks and air filters to survive.

The performance will take place three times this Sunday, the 18th of June 2017. At 13h, 15h and 17h (duration 1.5 hours). Since there is limited capacity, it would be nice if you could pre-register to kilian[at]jorg[dot]at

Few general instructions:
1) Please do not drink alcohol on that that.
2) Please do not eat anything heavy for 2 hours prior to the performance.
3) Please bring a bottle of water.

*The installation the lure of modernism can also be seen during the breaks.

 

Mittwoch, 7. Juni 2017

Talk "Different perspectives on materials" at Das Weiße Haus on 9/5/17 at 15h

On Friday I will have a talk on the role of technology together with Johannes Wittman, Clemens Rettenbacher, Johanna Folkmann and Rosie Benn. It will take place at Das Weiße Haus (Hegelgasse 14, 1010 Vienna) at around 15h this Friday, 9/7/17. Find the entire program of the day below: 




Circuit Training - Accompanying program on 9/7/17:

An afternoon of talks and performancesreflecting on questions concerning the exhibited projects. Chaired by Brishty Alam and Valerie Deifel.

Session I 14:00–17:00

Chronicae Aetatis Hominum Physicorum   
Reading. Introduction of the science-fiction book by Júlia Mag.
  
On the road to supersymmetry
Lecture by Helmut Eberl (particle physicist, HEPHY). Organised by Andrea Vezga.
An introduction to supersymmetry topics picked out by Eberl from the exhibited projects.   

How real is real – What ophthalmology tells us   
Presentation by Christoph Mitsch (ophthalmologist, Medical University Vienna). In relation to 'Reality' by Denise Schellmann.   
How much of what we see is real and how much is constructed? A talk on the anatomical, biological, neurological and pathological aspects that have significant influence on our visual perception of reality.
   
Different perspectives on materials   
Talks by Johannes Wittman (engineer, HEPHY), Kilian Jörg (philosopher/artist) and Clemens Rettenbacher (TBA21).
A reflection on the research film 'The State of The Observer' by Johanna Folkmann and Rosie Benn.   
A discussion exploring different perspectives on the ethics of technology, materiality and the entanglement of a globalised world system.   

Session II 17:30–19:30

Broadening the horizons of 'extra dimensions'   
Talks by Eni Brandner (animator), Gregor Schwellenbach (musician) and Matthias Fink (architect).   
In relation to 'Umkehren um 180 oder 360 Grad!!' by Golnaz Bashiri.   
Everyday experiences of 'extra-dimensions' across different locations.

Thinking about sound-image relations in film through Vlado Kristl
Lecture performance by Marina Rebhandl and Valerie Deifel (film theorist).   
In relation to 'All Beginnings from Before' by Marina Rebhandl.   
A collage of theoretical notions on sound-image relations presented alongside a film from Vlado Kristl, a Croatian experimental filmmaker working between the 1950s and 2000s.
   
Accelerating Silence   
Live sound set by Masha Dabelka (sound artist) in response to 'Circuit Game' by Natalia Gurova.
Musical performance based on processed abstracts of recorded interviews with CERN scientists taken by Natalia Gurova.   
   
Drinks & Performances 19:30

Circuit game-play tour (20-30 min)
by Natalia Gurova.   
   
Pic du Pursuit (Until closing)    
One-to-one performance
by Lala Nomada.  

More Information here and here.