Hi everyone
I will not be posting extensively on this weeks readings. I will save my comments for class. In conversation with the idea of “bioart” as a tactical practice that potentially engages and brings together different groups of individuals; making new publics’ and re-figuring the ethical commitments and conversations in art and science practices alike I leave with you a video of one of my favorite urban situationist prankster; Remy Gaillar.
While he does not make bioart or even art per say his interventions interrupt and intercept the flows of everyday, there is no business as usual with him, in a manner that elucidates the performative possibilities of the everyday. Performativity in is hands is a cultural, social and political activity; pranks can be read as protest and social commentary. Remy, as one might suspect after watching the video, has been arrested several times.
The self professed moniker that underlines his body of work is; “It is by doing whatever that you become whoever”. He is most known for his impersonation of sports figures as a means to insert himself in otherwise closed spaces. Dressed as a soccer or tennis player Remy takes to the field to participate alongside of professional athletes for the delight and confusion of spectators. Another tactic of Remy’s is to dress as an animal figure and play in urban spaces.
While I admire his work there are certain tactics that he engages that I also find troubling, at times he targets individuals who are on the job., in such a way that often makes the unsuspecting employees at minim wage jobs the recipient of his pranks. This gesture read alongside other projects of his lends an air of ambiguity as to what exactly Remy’s ethical commitments are, or following his logic such tactics begs the question; who exactly is Remy trying to become? Nonetheless his work uses humor to raise a series of questions about boundaries, social orders and power.
for more information on Remy Gaillar’s work go to his website: http://www.nimportequi.com/en/
Thanks Emily, I thoroughly enjoyed the video. I like the point you raise about performativity and art. I agree that pranks that go beyond inflicting cruelty or humiliation to actually make political and social points can be regarded as art themselves. Although sometimes this can be a thin line I think. Like you pointed out, there were certainly some pranks in the video that went a little too far. But in some ways I wonder if this reaction or affectivity is maybe his commentary. I go from laughing to cringing in watching this, I sympathize with some and I smile at the expense of others.