Bolzano barely had the time to enjoy the inauguration of its independent museum of contemporary art 'Museion', before Martin Kippenberger's sculpture 'First the Feet' - starring a crucified frog - launched the region into the time-honoured scandal of religious sentiments vs. the freedom of artistic expression. (Image: dpa/ taz)
- Act 1 -
For all lovers of good classics and well-set case studies, all the major parts were cast to perfection:
- Populist Local Leader - bowing to the crowd's will - Luis Durnwalder
- Opportunist Opposition - eager to attract voters with their song of saveguarding local culture and tradition - Eva Klotz
- Local Gazette to stir the fire - Die Zett (newspaper)
- Brave Culturette - fighting for the freedom of expression: Corinne Diserens (museum director)
- Unsuspecting Artist - confronted with vulgar hate mail decades after the creation of the offending oeuvre (and 11 years after his death): Martin Kippenberger
- Angry Mob - fueled by -> local gazette and -> opportunistic opposition: kindly supplied by the region of Bolzano
To make a good plot even better, the cast is joined in Act 2 by:
- Martyer - entering a protest hunger strike: Franz Pahl
- Guest Starring with special appearance: The Pope - trying to spend his well earned summer vacation in peace and quiet
Those who wish to follow this epic tale of art, culture, religion, media, expression and sentiment can do so here:
- Abridged Summary of Act 1:
http://artmagazine.arcadja.com/2008/06/10/the-first-scandal-at-the-museion-martin-kippenberger-and-the-crucified-frog/
http://artforum.com/news/week=200822 - The Artist: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/kippenberger_martin.html
Posts
