SELF-BRAINWASHING 2: PERFORMANCE

The performance “Self-brainwashing#2” by Michail MIchailov is a special project, part of the “There you are” exhibition, curated by Irina Batkova, and presented at the Bulgarian Pavilion during the 59. International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia.

The performance is related to the idea of concealing and obliterating the world existing around us, including the figure of the artist, and his transformation into something else, stimulating the research of new words through which to name it.

Cortile Squellini at Ca' Foscari University, an intimate courtyard with terracotta tiles and its beautiful monumental staircase, will be sculpted with foam. The foam will cover not only the courtyard but also the figure of the artist Michail Michailov and all the participants. The soundscape of the performance will be especially created by the Austrian artist Harald Stojan.

20 participants will be allowed to take part in each performance. White overalls with white hats will be provided, because a continuous stream of white foam will be ejected from a machine, gradually covering everything. In this way, the participants will merge with the white mass, losing their individuality and becoming a living sculpture. Each performance lasts 30-40min and will be held twice with different participants (40 people in total will be admitted)*.

Normal audiences will be asked to remain in a designated area to watch the event without interacting with foam.

Between the two performances, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm, a contemporary art curator will manage an open discussion with the participants about art and the experience that the performance wants to communicate.