If democracy cannot be separated from collectivity, this project makes it inevitable to think that both words have found several positions with regard to a historical event. The last (but not least) work in the exhibition is a video by Hope Tucker inspired by events linked to the Nazi Resistance during the German occupation of Norway. The video simply tells the story of the paperclip invented by the designer Johan Vaaler. It was never recognised as a real design object but performed a social function in that particular historical context. As we are informed by the text running superimposed on the black background of the monitor, it was worn as a sign of recognition by dissidents, quickly developing the function of a symbol of belonging and immediately creating a sense of community.
It is not hard to imagine that certain strategies of sharing and participation have also been proposed in current times, as demonstrated by the chain of events all over the world. “There is no such thing as society.” said Thatcher, “There are individual men and women.” But not all men and women agree.
Until 31 October 2013
Prologue – Part One: References, Paperclips and the Cha Cha Cha
ar/ge kunst Galerie Museum
via Museo 29, Bolzano