Ist die Arbeit Gefährlich?

2002 | This work was produced during an artist residency in Schwabisch Hall, Germany. Schwabisch Hall is a walled medieval town with a long history of association with the salt trade. Ist die Arbeit Gefahrlich? [Is the Work Dangerous?] utilized salt, a historically and ritually significant material, in combination with phrases taken from a German-English tourist phrase book to construct a simple interventionist work, from the perspective of a visitor, in the context of an historically and culturally rich small Bavarian town.

Translations —

You are an angel sent from God. [Sie sind Ein Engel von Gott gesandt.]
I would like to speak for three minutes. [Ich möchte drei Minuten lang sprechen.]
Let’s just be friends. [Wir kömmen doch einfach Freunde sein.]
I believe in extra-terrestrial life. [Ich glaube an Leben im Weltall.]
Do I need a guide? [Brauche ich einen Führer?]
I was born here. [Ich bin hier geboren.]
I am worried. [Ich mache mir sorgen.]

Ist die Arbeit Gefahrlich, 2002

This work was produced during an artist residency in Schwabisch Hall, Germany. Schwabisch Hall is a walled medieval town with a long history of association with the salt trade. Ist die Arbeit Gefahrlich? utilized salt, an historically and ritually significant material, in combination with phrases taken from a German-English tourist phrase book to construct a simple interventionist work, from the perspective of a visitor, in the context of an historically and culturally rich small Bavarian town. Phrases and locations included:

Ich mochte drei Minuten lang sprechen. (I would like to speak for three minutes.)

Location: Front steps of City Hall.

Brauche ich einen Fuhrer? (Do I need a guide?)

Location: Window sill of a small art gallery.

Ich bin hier geboren. (I was born here.)

Location: Windowsill of a public women’s restroom.

Sie sind ein Engel von Gott gesandt. (You are an angel sent from God.)

Location: Cobblestone walk in a passage under the local cathedral.

Ich mache mir sorgen. (I am worried.)

Location: Sidewalk near a police car.

Wir konnen einfach Freunde sein. (Let’s just be friends.)

Location: Sidewalk outside a bakery/coffeehouse.

Ich glaube an Leben im Weltall. (I believe in extraterrestrial life.)

Location: Below the public bulletin board where the daily newspaper was posted.