The video work ‘Relay’ explores presence and absence through material and moving bodies, a shifting of power that constantly multiplies and reshapes itself. Ten participants, all close friends of the artist, interpret a textile prop that was created by Wibmer for the purpose of the intervention, enabling a transmission.
Balancing on the boundaries between tangible materiality and digital (im)materiality, these improvisations in front of a black background reveal intrinsic processes. Individual states of the soul may surface and also a deep awareness, connecting us with others and with the world. Wibmer sees the performers as representatives of something universally human, which shapes the broader context of this work.
The video work was released in parallel with a series of photographs, portraits of the performers and the eponymous book publication, published by Vfmk – Verlag für moderne Kunst, Vienna as well as a Collectors Edition.
RELAY, 2020, video, 14:50 min. Limited Edition 3
Margret Wibmer: Concept, design textile object, camera & lighting. / Florian Krepcik: Video production & edit / Robert Poss: music & sound design / Performers: Al Attara, Alva Rogers, Bi Lee, Laura Rubin, Linda Mason, Michael Chang, Nina Allen, Suzanne Morianz, Mara Meyers, Tania Haselwander.
The realisation of this video was generously supported by FondsKwadraat, Land Tirol, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds / Tijlfonds, Federal Ministry Republic of Austria – Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport.