John Bock has developed a new project for the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein that interlinks installative, cinematic and performative elements in four different spaces. The central work of the exhibition Im AntliTZ des SchädelapparaTZ is a 4.2-meter-high metal wedge hanging from the ceiling of the exhibition space. It serves both as an action space for four dancers and an actor, and as a set for a film that will be shown in a projection room at n.b.k. from June 25th 2019. The fleeting element of the performative and the time-based nature of the medium video permeate each other. An integral part of the exhibition are performative “lectures” involving the five live actors, which will take place on Monday, June 17th 2019, Tuesday, June 25th 2019, and Friday, June 28th 2019 from 7 pm each. In each of the two adjoining rooms of the n.b.k., Bock has created a further independent, expansive installation.
Image above: John Bock, 2019 © Neuer Berliner Kunstverein / Jens Ziehe
In his works, John Bock combines live actions, drawings, sculptures, installations, film sets and film projections to create a complete work of art. His spatial arrangements, which are characterized by material combinations, can become a place for live actions, which the artist calls “lectures”. His work is based on a darkly colored humor, which expresses itself not least on a linguistic level through word creations, repetitions, onomatopoeia and surprising language combinations.
The Neue Berliner Kunstverein is realizing the exhibition with John Bock on the occasion of its 50th anniversary as a project that exemplarily follows on from the many years of practice of n.b.k. as an educational institution and place of aesthetic experience.
Curator: Kathrin Becker
Biographical
John Bock (*1965 in Gribbohm, Schleswig-Holstein) lives in Berlin. Solo exhibitions (selection): The Contemporary Austin (2017); La Panacée, Montpellier (2017); Berlinische Galerie, Berlin (2017); Museum of the Moving Image, New York (2016); Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn (2013); REDCAT, Los Angeles (2008); Group Exhibitions (selection): Fondazione Prada, Milan (2017); Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (2015); Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (2015); Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (2015); Berlinische Galerie, Berlin (2017); Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn (2013); Group Exhibitions (selection): Fondazione Prada, Milan (2017); Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (2015); Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam (2015).
Discourse Programme
Monday, June 17th 2019 / Tuesday, June 25th2019 / Friday, June 28th 2019, each 7 pm
Performance by John Bock with Frantics Dance Company and Frank Seppeler
Thursday, June 27th 2019, 7 pm Zum Begriff des Performativen in der zeitgenössischen Kunst
Panel Discussion with John Bock (Artist, Berlin), Gabriele Brandstetter (Professor of Theater Studies with a Focus on Dance Studies, Freie Universität Berlin), Anna-Catharina Gebbers (Curator, Nationalgalerie im Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum für Gegenwart – Berlin), moderated by Angela Rosenberg (Curator, Berlin)
Sunday, July 14th 2019, 5 – 10 pm Das Fest.50 – anlässlich des 50-jährigen Jubiläums des Neuen Berliner Kunstvereins
Performances and concerts by John Bock, Arnold Dreyblatt & The Orchestra of Excited Strings (with Jörg Hiller and Oren Ambarchi), Adda Kaleh (aka Alexandra Pirici), Luci Lippard
Catering: Zagreus Projekt / Cocktails: Straight Up, Berlin
WHEN?
Saturday, June 15th – Sunday, July 28th 2019
WHERE?
Neuer Berliner Kunstverein
Chausseestrasse 128/129
10115 Berlin
COST?
Free admission to all events
Film production im AntliTZ des SchädelapparaTZ, 2019 director: John Bock // editor: Benjamin Quabeck // camera: Raphael Beinder // light: Andy Kaiser // set-photography: Martin Sommer // sound: Kris Limbach // art department: Felix Rombach // production: Anette Schäfer // cast: Frantics Dance Company (Carlos Aller, Enrique de Miguel, Marco di Nardo, Diego de la Rosa), Frank Seppeler
Exhibition-Soundtrack: Kris Limbach, Benjamin Quabeck
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