Parasitism
on
BEGEHUNGEN 8, Chemnitz, Germany, 01.2012

The watchword for Begehungen8 Festival was: “responsibility”.

“I’m unleashed from responsibility for art I’m forming in the name of my own good. But at the same time I think that art must be responsible for artists and especially for me. I understand Art as a net of people, galleries, museums, festivals and exhibitions like Begehungen8. I would like to emphasize this idea in my performance, which will be based on living in one of the cells of a former political prison in Chemnitz – JVA Kaßberg. My survival will depend on spectators and organizers. It means I will drink and eat what they will give me.” (parasite’s text from the festival’s description and catalogue).

The action ended with a success for an artist – he survived a four-days festival and even more: he received food, luxury goods (cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol) and finances to continue his life. Furthermore, the action has resulted with many conversations at the prison cell’s window. Apart from positive reactions there were negative too, but it is worth noting that they were held simultaneously at the window in the door of his cell.

More information about Parasitism in the Manifesto of Parasitism.