PRESENTATION: Rirkrit Tiravanija
Even though Rirkrit Tiravanija’s diverse artistic production eludes classification, he has accurately described it as “relational”: a body of work focused on real-time experience and exchange that breaks down the barriers between the object and the spectator while questioning the art object as fetish, and the sacredness of the gallery and museum display.
By Dimitris Lempesis
Photo: Haus der Kunst Archive
In a de-centralised exhibition 29 May 23, Haus der Kunst is showing works by the artist Rirkrit Tiravanija at various sites in the building. The exhibition takes place at the same time as Toshia Hosokawa’s opera “Hanjo”, which is being performed in the Westgalerie of Haus der Kunst and for which Rirkrit Tiravanija is creating the stage design. Parallel to the performances of “Hanjo” in Tiravanija’s work is presented at various sites of Haus der Kunst. The practice of the visual artist and performer focuses on the artistic production of social engagement, often inviting viewers to inhabit, participate and activate his work. He ignores the boundary between art and life and interweaves both spheres to bring people together by engaging them in shared rituals and actions. His work has never run in just one direction and is difficult to contain. This is why Tiravanija is not just creating an exhibition for Haus der Kunst, but also forming connections in and out of the house, and making overlaps with Toshia Hosokawa’s opera “Hanjo”, but also an Intimate tea ceremony performances by Japanese artist Mai Ueda, activating the stage set for the opera. Other works of the exhibition: “Angst essen Seele auf”: In 2017, Tiravanija created a shot-by-shot remake of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s seminal 1974 film, Angst essen See/e auf. The film, in part, takes place in a Munich bar, where we meet the bartender Barbara. Tiravanija’s remake is installed on a bar designed by the artist, which is activated by Tiravanija’s ‘Barbara’ – the Austrian actor Florian Troebinger – who will serve you beer or coke, and engage in conversation. “T-shirt printing. Atelier”: T-shirt printing workshops with Tiravanija’s slogan designs. The texts for the slogans were sourced by the artist from the opera Hanjo, and turned into individual lines that also appear at the entrance to the building. T-shirt printing has been an ongoing aspect of Tiravanija’s practice, drawing the connections between fashion, politics, and individuality. “untitled 2013 {morgen ist die frage}”: A series of the artist’s ping pong tables, untitled 2013 (morgen ist die frage), in the Terrassensaal. The work, “Tomorrow Is the Question,” revives Ping Pong Society, a brainchild of Slovak artist Julius Koller (1939-2007) first showcased in Bratislava in 1970. Koller arranged ping-pong tables in an exhibition space and urged visitors to join in. His objective was to engage and motivate people to explore active contemplation, specifically on the issues of the day: environmental, social, and political. Following in Keller’s footsteps, Tiravanija’s ping pong tables with the phrase “tomorrow is the question,” welcoming visitors to shed their passive roles and actively participate by playing or encouraging others to play. Tiravanija emphasises human relationships, interaction, and engagement, and a collective centering on the questions of our uncertain future. “untitled 2011 {pay attention}”: A screening of the video work, at the entrance of Haus der Kunst. The work centres on Tiravanija’s interest in the social relationship between citizens, the role of government, and personal liberty, referencing the 2009-10 antigovernment protests in Bangkok, Thailand, and “Banners”: a double-sided newly commissioned banner hangs at the entrance to HDK, with slogans sourced by the artist from the text of “Hanjo”.
Photo: Rirkrit Tiravanija, Installation view, Haus der Kunst-Munich, 2023, Photo: Judith Buss, Courtesy the artist and Haus der Kunst
Info: Emma Enderby with Hanns Lennart Wiesner, Haus der Kunst, Prinzregentenstr. 1, Munich, Germany, Duration: 5-29/5/2023, Days & Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri-Sun 10:00-20:00, Thu 19:99-22:00, www.hausderkunst.de/
