based in puerto rico, jennifer allora (*1974, usa) and guillermo calzadilla (*1971, cuba) work in the most diverse artistic mediums: creating films, sculptures, site-specific works, actions and performances. the ‘shooting-stars of the international art scene’ (kunst bulletin) also often create public situations where the audience is required to communicate or interact. characteristic for their works is thereby the way in which they approach their – mostly political – thematic: with often an absurd sense of humour and subtlety the political dimension in their works becomes apparent. allora & calzadilla now present a new work in the former ‘hall of honour’ addressing the history of this space, where hitler used to hold his notorious speeches on culture. at the centre is thereby the fourth movement of ludwig van beethoven’s ninth symphony: the famous final chorus, an icon of humanist tradition and since 1985 the european union’s official anthem. apart from other extensive – and ideologically
conflicting – contexts, ‘ode to joy’ was also highly respected by the nazi regime and was played at hitler’s birthday. allora & calzadilla’s interest is aimed at the composition’s internal contradictions, as well as the use and abuse of music. ‘stop, repair, prepare’ was created especially for the haus der kunst and is shown in several performances within the newly designed galerie der freunde: a pianist stands and moves in the middle of a prepared concert piano, whilst playing the keyboard from within creating variations on the composition – a goose-stepping journey of sound that originates where modernity starts and aims towards uncertain horizons.
in collaboration with the kunstverein münchen
from 13 jun 08 > 13 jul 08 the kunstverein münchen will show ‘allora & calzadilla: wake up, clamor, sediments sentiments (figures of speech)’ in parallel. performances take place throughout wednesdays to sundays 14 > 18 h. in collaboration the haus der kunst and the kunstverein münchen are showing several works by the artists in germany for the first time.
