Writing

The extensive use of quotations in the list of artworks above reflects the fact that there is very little ‘original’ documentation of the pieces, for example artist’s statements, photography or recordings. Most information about the pieces comes from anecdotal evidence. These descriptions of the pieces appear not only as off-hand comments in informal publications, such as internet blogs (where one would expect this level of commentary), but also crop up as a common feature of magazine reviews.

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Object-status

The artist actively avoids anything which could be seen as an object in relation to his pieces, either of the piece, or any physical objects left over from the event. Similarly there is little or no record of the work except what visitors take away with them in their memories. The works rely almost exclusively on memory for their extended ‘life’ beyond the actual event in the original site. These may then be committed to paper or other forms of record by reviewers or commentators, but essentially the works live on only by the mediation of another, the audience that experienced them.

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Tino Sehgal – Selected works

The following is a selected list of the artist’s works with short descriptions:

  • 2000 Instead of allowing something to rise up to your face dancing bruce and dan and other things
    An interpreter writhing on the gallery floor.
  • 2001 This is good
    “… gallery guards singing … thrashing their arms about in circles while jumping from leg to leg.” (Bishop, 2005)
  • 2002 This is propaganda
    “… a brief, ghostly recording by an unidentified woman singing “this is propaganda, you know, you know” (from a pop song); the recording is triggered whenever someone passes by an unmarked spot in the room.” (Gabri, 2003)
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