Fishing in Potemkin Village, Views of Installation / Exhibition, 2003
power building site
Peripheral Structures
Fishing in
Potemkin Village
Installation of envelopes with text, fish cans, string, 2003
With reference to so-called "Potemkin Villages", this work shows my statement and research data on "the lies of the political facade" in power politics.
Exemplaric for the contemporary situation in Russia.
Departure materials for this project are texts from the international media that critically reflect on the democratic "developments" in Russia. In the installation, text excerpts are packed in "beautified" fish banderole envelopes and are free for the visitor to take.
Potemkin Villages:
Named after the Russian army officer, diplomat and politician Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin (1739-1791). On the occasion of Catherina II's trip to Crimea, it is said that Potemkin let hollow facades of villages be constructed that would give her the illusion of prosperity in the area. The characterisation "Potemkin Village" is used today synonymous with delusion and fakery.Employed Texts (excerpt):
Die Zeit, 21. 8. 2003, "Samen sammeln in Ruinen. Das Wawilow-Institut in St. Petersburg."Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 30.9.2003, "Akzeptiert Russland das Kyoto Protokoll?"
pte030623039, "Hoffen auf Schutz der Meere."
Shown at:
EXPORT, Art beyond the Net, Exhibition space of the Moscow District, St. Petersburg (Russia),In cooperation with the Festival Traumlandschaften (Dreamlandscapes) 2003