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Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve Charlemagne Palestine

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Artist(s) Charlemagne Palestine Authors Michel Baudson, Xavier Garcia Bardón

Exhibitions ‘Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve’, BOZAR, Brussels, 18 May 2018 - 26 August 2018 en 1000 pictures and documents from the work and life of ISBN 978 94 9232 186 2 Charlemagne Palestine explode from the pages of the Release May 2018 book, superimposed in ‘strumming’ layers, weaving the Imprint MER. Paper Kunsthalle & historical & present, works & performance, private & public BOZAR Books into a tightly knit sschmmettrroobookk. Texts by Michel Language(s) EN Baudson and Xavier Garcia Bardón. Format 30 cm × 30 cm Volume 132 pages Cover Softcover Illustrations CMYK + B&W Design Studio Luc Derycke

Retail €35.00 Printrun 500 + 32 22 (0) 9 329 31 Pauline Scharmann [email protected] L, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

MER. Paper Kunsthalle Burgstraat 18 www.merpaperkunsthalle.org MER. Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve CharlemagneCharlemagne Palestine’s Palestine’s Bear Bear Mitzvah Mitzvah in in Meshugahland Meshugahland, ,The The Jewish Jewish Museum, Museum, New , York, NY, NY, 3 3 MarchMarch –– 66 AugustAugust 20172017

in the Henry LeLe BœufBœuf Hall,Hall, asas initiallyinitially Palestine atat thethe startstart ofof the 1970s,the 1970s, asas fashionfashion – – that that he he had had long long since since art,art, which which he he recently recently described, described, not not proposed, sprang from this same shownshown atat thethe CentreCentre forfor FineFine Arts,Arts, andand “turned“turned [his] [his] back back on on the the minimalist minimalist withoutwithout a a sense sense of of humour, humour, as as “Gesa “Gesa-- THETHE JOYOUSJOYOUS RE-ENTRY preference, since it reminded him of inin otherother momentsmoments ofof thethe researchresearch hehe climateclimate and and the the reductive reductive currents” currents” mmttkkunsttMeshuggahhLaandttttt”.mmttkkunsttMeshuggahhLaandttttt”. the raw rooms of CalArts. InIn contrastcontrast toto developeddeveloped inin thethe UnitedUnited StatesStates andand thatthat were were in in vogue vogue during during his his early early TheThe diverse diverse range range of of ways ways in in which which it it his performance of Strumming Music,, Europe, highlightshighlights thethe mixmix ofof soundsound performativeperformative years. years. Since Since then, then, the the isis possible possible to to perceive perceive the the multidimen multidimen-- OF CHARLEMAGNECHARLEMAGNE his body was here his only instrument, andand spacespace thatthat willwill continuecontinue toto prepre-- accumulationaccumulation of of his his musical musical and and spa spa-- sionalsional spaces spaces he he sets sets into into motion motion calls calls a body moving, whooping, and rushing vailvail asas aa formform ofof Gesamtkunstwerk Gesamtkunstwerk inin tialtial research, research, as as well well as as his his taste taste for for uponupon all all of of our our senses senses in in a a random random in its hectic race,race, emittingemitting itsits longlong crycry hishis artisticartistic career.career. TheThe obviousobvious linkslinks shimmeringshimmering colours colours and and soft soft materi materi-- fashion,fashion, according according to to the the free free move move-- PALESTINE PALESTINE AT THE from one wall to another, andand violentlyviolently betweenbetween volumesvolumes ofof soundsound andand movemove-- als,als, and and the the flaunting flaunting of of his his collections collections mentment of of the the visitors visitors who who are are confront confront-- colliding, the voice suddenly cut off by ment in space, with pressures andand ofof fetishes fetishes and and stuffed stuffed animals, animals, have have eded with with the the sonic, sonic, spatial, spatial, luminous, luminous, the muffled resonance ofof thethe full-onfull-on tensionstensions risingrising toto anan extremeextreme beforebefore comecome to to testify, testify, in in a a quasi-exponen quasi-exponen-- tactile,tactile, and and always always playful playful diversity diversity CENTRECENTRE FOR FINE ARTS impact, before runningrunning straightstraight toto-- finallyfinally resolvingresolving toto totaltotal calmness,calmness, andand tialtial way, way, to to his his most most intimate intimate being being thatthat the the magic magic of of his his liberating liberating carnival carnival FFFFOOOOFFFFOOOO RRRR RRRR TTTTYYYY TTTTYYYY FFFF FFFFOO OO OO OUUUU OUUUU R R RRR RRR YEARS YEARS AFTER! AFTER! ward another wall, and amplifying its hishis successivesuccessive phasesphases ofof introspectionintrospection –– like like a a “mixed-up” “mixed-up” or or “Crazy “Crazy Mixed” Mixed” offersoffers to to everyone everyone in in such such abundance. abundance. cry until the next collision, and so on, and externalization confirm his perma- self-portrait (to use his own terms) in The collection of stuffed toys, the —— MICHEL MICHEL BAUDSON BAUDSON cry until the next collision, and so on, and externalization confirm his perma- self-portrait (to use his own terms) in The collection of stuffed toys, the without respite, until finally collapsing nentnent strivingstriving toto gogo beyondbeyond hishis limits,limits, aa constant constant state state of of amplification. amplification. shimmeringshimmering suppleness suppleness of of the the fab fab-- to the ground, where stillnessstillness broughtbrought while reminding us ofof hishis constant,constant, TheThe current current exhibition exhibition confirms confirms rics,rics, the the brilliance brilliance of of the the colours, colours, and and InIn October 1974, October 1974, a concert-perfor a concert-perfor-- thethe rhythm, rhythm, that that I and I and the the assembled assembled silence. allusiveallusive memorymemory ofof hishis childhood.childhood. bothboth the the continuity continuity and and the the vitality vitality thethe acoustic acoustic amplitude amplitude of of the the music music mancemance of of Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine’s Palestine’s massmass of of the the audience audience in in the the stands stands of of The conjunction of this duality in As he asserts,asserts, hehe isis aa fullyfully “max“max-- ofof his his all-embracing all-embracing concept concept of of an an areare not not set set up up simply simply as as some some kind kind of of StrummingStrumming Music Music took took place place in in thethe hall hall and and the the upper upper gallery gallery encircling encircling the artistic production ofof CharlemagneCharlemagne imalist”imalist” artist,artist, repeatingrepeating –– inin livelylively exhibitionexhibition conceived conceived as as a a total total work work of of extraordinaryextraordinary baroque baroque fantasy. fantasy. These These thethe Centre Centre for for Fine Fine Arts, Arts, Brussels. Brussels. itsits centre centre began began to to understand understand his his OrganizedOrganized on on the the initiative initiative of of Karel Karel needneed for for the the instrument instrument to to be be “Impe “Impe-- Geirlandt,Geirlandt, the the Director Director of of the the Société Société rial”.rial”. The The constant constant amplification amplification of of the the desdes Expositions, Expositions, the the event event was was staged staged pianopiano notes notes spreading spreading relentlessly relentlessly AA inin the the big big Animation Animation Hall, Hall, as as the the Horta Horta throughoutthroughout the the vast vast space space of of the the great great AA HallHall was was called called in in the 1970s, the 1970s, and and like like a a hallhall and and the the extraordinary extraordinary way way that that culturalcultural thunderbolt thunderbolt that that continues continues to to theirtheir volume volume was was developing developing produced produced SS S resonateresonate within, within, it it was was to to live live on on in in the the thethe sensation sensation of of being being swept swept away away in in a a S C memorymemory of of all all those those who who were were lucky lucky whirlwind,whirlwind, as as if if we we were were at at the the centre centre C H enoughenough to to attend. attend. Karel Karel Geirlandt Geirlandt had had ofof a a cyclotron, cyclotron, or or an an (auditory) (auditory) particle particle H M putput me me in in charge charge of of preparing preparing and and accelerator.accelerator. M M coordinatingcoordinating the the event, event, whose whose suc suc-- TheThe repetitive repetitive mastery mastery of of his his M performance at the Centre for Fine Arts, Fine Brussels, 1974 for Centre the at performance EE Arts, Fine Brussels, 1974 for Centre the at performance cesscess depended depended on on being being able able to to rent rent fingeringfingering and and the the power power of of his his strokes strokes TT anan Imperial Imperial concert concert , piano, as as created created hadhad caused caused all all the the strings strings of of the the piano piano TT byby the the famous famous Viennese Viennese piano piano mak mak-- toto resonate, resonate, continuously continuously vibrating vibrating RR ers,ers, Bösendorfer, Bösendorfer, in 1909. in 1909. Originally Originally beneathbeneath the the vigorous vigorous pulsing pulsing of of the the RR made for the pianist and composer, bass frequencies, but in a way that was made for the pianist and composer, bass frequencies, but in a way that was OO Busoni,Busoni, the the Imperial Imperial is is a a particularly particularly alsoalso sustained, sustained, like like the the effect effect achieved achieved OO Music Strumming Music Strumming rarerare instrument, instrument, offering offering exceptional exceptional byby the the sympathetic sympathetic strings strings of of certain certain SS soundsound possibilities possibilities by by virtue virtue of of a a OrientalOriental or or Medieval Medieval instruments, instruments, SS keyboardkeyboard with with ninety-seven ninety-seven keys keys pullingpulling us us into into the the ebb ebb and and flow flow of of their their PP coveringcovering a a full full eight-octave eight-octave range, range, by by soundsound waves. waves. PP virtuevirtue of of the the nine nine extra extra bass bass keys keys that that I noI no longer longer remember remember exactly exactly how how EE itit has has in in addition addition to to the the eighty-eight eighty-eight longlong the the concert concert lasted, lasted, about about two two to to Programme for the the for Programme CC the for Programme keyskeys of of a a classical classical concert concert piano. piano. threethree hours hours without without a a break, break, but but at at the the CC Fortunately,Fortunately, I was I was able able to to rent rent the the endend of of it it all, all, after after the the slow slow dying dying away away TT KarelKarel GeirlandtGeirlandt shortlyshortly before,before, andand researchresearch supportedsupported by the studios onlyonly copy copy then then in in Belgium Belgium that that exactly exactly ofof the the vibrations vibrations that that had had filled filled every every II whichwhich waswas subsequentlysubsequently presented of WGBH in Boston (which included matchedmatched Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine’s Palestine’s spacespace within within the the hall hall and and transported transported VV atat the the CentreCentre forfor FineFine ArtsArts inin FebFeb-- work by Nam June Paik), but also in requirements.requirements. usus away away to to their their quasi-cyclonic quasi-cyclonic space- space- VV ruary 1975.ruary 1975. AmongAmong moremore thanthan 150150 conjunctionconjunction with the wider use of HeHe had had discovered discovered the the exceptional exceptional time,time, the the return return of of silence silence left left some some of of EE artists’ videosartists’ videos includedincluded inin thethe exhiexhi-- lightweightlightweight productionproduction techniquestechniques possibilitiespossibilities of of this this piano piano in 1969-1970 in 1969-1970 usus stunned, stunned, and and others others amazed, amazed, but but all all bitionbition waswas CharlemagneCharlemagne Palestine’sPalestine’s made possible by the development atat CalArts CalArts (California (California Institute Institute of of the the ofof us us excited. excited. 44 years 44 years later, later, I still I still be be-- BodyBody Music IMusic I,, whichwhich waswas producedproduced of Sony’s “Portapak”, using half-inch Arts)Arts) in in Valencia Valencia in in the the suburbs suburbs of of Los Los lievelieve that that what what I attended I attended that that evening evening inin Paris Paris in 1973in 1973 underunder thethe guidanceguidance magnetic tapes whose manoeuvra- Angeles,Angeles, which which was was fortunate fortunate enough enough waswas one one of of the the most most extraordinary extraordinary ofof Ileana Ileana Sonnabend,Sonnabend, whowho promotedpromoted bility and compact design, extraor- toto have have a a copy copy of of the the instrument. instrument. It It was was musicalmusical moments moments of of my my life. life. hishis workwork throughthrough MariaMaria GloriaGloria BicocBicoc-- dinary at the start of the seventies, atat CalArts CalArts that that Charlemagne Charlemagne developed developed ThisThis concert concert followed followed my my dis dis-- chi’schi’s art/tapes/22art/tapes/22 gallerygallery inin Florence.Florence. made it possible to develop works thethe strumming strumming technique technique that that he he has has coverycovery of of La La Monte Monte Young’s Young’s Dream Dream VisitorsVisitors toto thethe exhibitionexhibition werewere ableable to inin blackblack andand whitewhite thatthat werewere more im- usedused since since his his first first performances performances with with HouseHouse at at Documenta Documenta 5 5 in in Kassel Kassel in in consultconsult thethe worksworks ofof thethe cataloguecatalogue onon mediate and individualized than film SimoneSimone Forti, Forti, such such as as Illuminations Illuminations, , 19721972 and and came came to to amplify amplify my my interest interest demand,demand, andand byby thethe end,end, BodyBody Music IMusic I production techniques allowed. whichwhich they they created created in 1971. in 1971. inin the the research research in in the the fields fields of of mu mu-- appearedappeared onon thethe listlist ofof thethe most-most- Charlemagne Palestine’s first CharlemagneCharlemagne Palestine Palestine began began to to siquesique concrète, concrète, electronics, electronics, experi experi-- viewedviewed videos.videos. video video work, Body Music I,, waswas mademade play,play, having having first first installed installed some some bears bears mentalism,mentalism, and and repetition repetition that that were were TheThe exhibitionexhibition enabledenabled thethe with the help of two cameramen filming andand other other stuffed stuffed animals animals across across beingbeing explored explored by by the the likes likes of of Steve Steve extensiveextensive audienceaudience atat thethe CentreCentre forfor atat arm’s length within an enclosed fromfrom him him on on the the piano, piano, dominating dominating the the Reich,Reich, Terry Riley and and Philip , Glass, FineFine ArtsArts toto discoverdiscover aa widewide rangerange ofof space,space, delimited only by its rough, un- keyboard,keyboard, the the only only members members of of the the whosewhose extraordinary extraordinary Einstein Einstein on on the the worksworks byby internationalinternational artists from finishedfinished walls,walls, aa spacespace which, although

audience invited to attend the concert Beach was presented at the Théâ- the United States, Canada, France, reduced in size, also reminded him of Arts, Fine Brussels, 1974 for Centre the at

audience invited to attend the concert Beach was presented at the Théâ- the United States, Canada, France, reduced in size, also reminded him of Arts, Fine Brussels, 1974 for Centre the at inin the the privileged privileged intimacy intimacy of of the the very very tretre Royal Royal de de la la Monnaie Monnaie in in Brussels Brussels Belgium,Belgium, Germany,Germany, Switzerland,Switzerland, and thethe purepure architecturalarchitectural spaces of the frontfront row. row. It It was was only only after after a a while while of of inin 1976, 1976, shortly shortly after after its its première première in in Sweden,Sweden, butbut alsoalso fromfrom Brazil,Brazil, Cuba,Cuba, abandonedabandoned SoHo lofts where he had whatwhat I might I might describe describe as as warming-up, warming-up, Avignon.Avignon. Furthermore, Furthermore, it it had had been been Japan,Japan, NewNew Zealand,Zealand, Israel,Israel, Turkey,Turkey, worked in New York before embarking givengiven the the repetitive repetitive and and accumulative accumulative preparedprepared in in parallel parallel with with the the exhibi exhibi-- andand elsewhere.elsewhere. TheseThese “videotapes”“videotapes” on his first trip to Europe. His desire insistenceinsistence of of the the notes notes being being struck struck tiontion Artists’ Artists’ Videotapes Videotapes, ,an an exhibition exhibition hadhad beenbeen mademade inin thethe wakewake ofof thethe toto givegive aa concertconcert inin thethe Horta Hall of

Ccornuuoorphanossccopiaee Aanorphansshhornoffplentyyy, 356 S. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA, 25 January – 22 April 2018 Music Strumming Ccornuuoorphanossccopiaee Aanorphansshhornoffplentyyy, 356 S. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA, 25 January – 22 April 2018 andand interchanged interchanged without without any any break break in in I hadI had talked talked about about putting putting on on with with 6060 firstfirst wavewave ofof experimentalexperimental imageimage thethe CentreCentre forfor FineFine Arts,Arts, rather than Music Strumming

Koons, Kelley, and even Warhol. InIn HinduHindu musicmusic wewe havehave thethe I’m very old fashioned,fashioned, maybe,maybe, tambura,tambura, wewe havehave continuums,continuums, with my ridiculousness. I’m very we have the raga, andand thethe alap…alap… modified, very easy now, though TheThe IndianIndian dronedrone hadhad anan imporimpor-- still not for everyone. tanttant effecteffect onon mymy creatingcreating aa musicmusic How did I become so perso- that’sthat’s aa continuum.continuum. AsAs GaneshGanesh

at art/tapes/22 at in perso- at art/tapes/22 at in na non grata? I was always willing comescomes fromfrom IndiaIndia andand IndianIndian to break out… Most artists,artists, onceonce Hindu tradition, thisthis allall connectsconnects they come up with anan idea,idea, theythey inin mymy weirdweird schizophrenicschizophrenic wayway present it with noooooo surprise.surprise. ofof mixingmixing things:things: Oriental,Oriental, OcciOcci--

Body Music II Music Body Body Music II Music Body Surprise is not permitted. For me, dental,dental, thingsthings fromfrom mymy childhood,childhood, surprise was almost the reason thingsthings fromfrom allall overover thethe world…world… to do it. A global hodgepodge.hodgepodge.

XG As we’re talking about your XGXG How did youyou getget inin touchtouch withwith animals and teddy bears, I was non-Westernnon-Western culturescultures andand theirtheir wondering how much these toys music? do relate, or not, to real animals. CP Mostly through the recordings , 1976 , 1976 What’s your relationship with publishedpublished byby MosesMoses AschAsch onon animals and how can your prac-- FolkwaysFolkways Records.Records. ThereThere werewere tice be connected toto animism,animism, forfor twotwo librarieslibraries inin NewNew YorkYork CityCity instance? where you could taketake outout manymany Island Song Island A Song Island A A CP When I do performances, people recordsrecords atat anyany time.time. SinceSince thethe A AA seemedseemed toto bebe over.over. I wasI was alreadyalready me, in the nineties: , sometimes come with dogs, and ageage ofof 1212 oror 13,13, I startedI started listeninglistening AA makingmaking allall these different objects, Sonic Youth, and all these people. dogs tend to love my music. I did toto thethe BalineseBalinese gamelan,gamelan, JavaJava-- S S butbut peoplepeople werewere justjust fixedfixed onon thethe When they started, at the end a performance once in Berlin for nesenese gamelan,gamelan, Pygmies,Pygmies, EskiEski-- SS S S S ideaidea thatthat I wasI was aa performerperformer andand of the 1970s, I was doing violent a gallerist and she had an enor-- mos, Native Americans, AfricanAfrican S C C C inin thosethose daysdays thatthat reallyreally workedworked performances, because I was mous dog. After the performance, music of all kinds, Aboriginals… C A thousand years old Ganesha statue in the collection of Charlemagne Palestine Charlemagne of collection in the statue Ganesha years old A thousand H H Palestine Charlemagne of collection in the statue Ganesha years old A thousand H againstagainst me.me. frustrated,frustrated, itit waswas my reaction the dog came and salutedsaluted meme andand I beganI began toto realizerealize veryvery earlyearly onon H M M M against.. ButBut thethe punks,punks, theythey were jumped onon mymy shoulders.shoulders. EveryEvery-- thatthat I preferredI preferred thethe languagelanguage ofof M interestedinterested in in the the idea idea that that sound sound BasedBased on on interviews interviews made made by by Xavier García Xavier García Florence, with Maria Gloria Bicocchi, Maria Gloria with 1975 Florence, A TYPICAL DAY – photo series taken during the production of of production the during taken series – photo A TYPICAL DAY Florence, with Maria Gloria Bicocchi, Maria Gloria with 1975 Florence, A TYPICAL DAY – photo series taken during the production of of production the during taken series – photo A TYPICAL DAY MM MM BardónBardón at at Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine’s Palestine’s home home XGXG HowHow differentdifferent werewere youryour objects objects toto makemake thatthat theirtheir language, their body was shocked because it was originaloriginal peoplespeoples toto thethe soundssounds ofof couldcould last last forever. forever. I had I had learned learned EE EE onon 20 February, 20 February, 7 March, 7 March, and and 10 April 10 April 2018, 2018, artart culture. culture. A A whole whole bunch bunch of of my my withwith Sonnabend Sonnabend as as I was I was still still her her fromfrom thethe objectsobjects thatthat werewere trademark.trademark. SoSo again,again, I felt I wasn’t obvious that he knew what he most modern Western acousticacoustic thatthat from from more more ancient ancient cultures cultures TT TT andand by by Marc Marc Matter, Matter, Christophe Christophe Piette Piette and and colleaguescolleagues immediately immediately realized realized artist,artist, but but she she was was already already about about selling? selling? inin syncsync withwith thethe changechange of the was listening to, he enjoyed it and andand electronicelectronic musics.musics. IndigeIndige-- thanthan him. him. That That wasn’t wasn’t new. new. For For XavierXavier García García Bardón Bardón at at Charlemagne’s Charlemagne’s TT TT thatthat they they now now had had to to get get into into toto betray betray me me with with Jeff Jeff Koons. Koons. Jeff Jeff CPCP TheyThey werewere muchmuch more,more, ifif I canI can guard in those particular forms of wanted to embrace me. He knew nousnous peoples’peoples’ wayway ofof dealingdealing withwith example,example, Ravi Ravi Shankar Shankar and and Ali Ali studiostudio on on 1 1 November November 2016. 2016. Some Some an an- - RR RR plasticplastic arts, arts, because because there there was was KoonsKoons brought brought a a million million dollars dollars say,say, poetic,poetic, inin aa way.way. ItIt wasn’twasn’t creation at the time. who did it and it gave him great soundssounds andand thingsthings werewere muchmuch AkbarAkbar Khan Khan were were regularly regularly in in swersswers have have been been rephrased. rephrased. Revised Revised by by RR RR Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine. Palestine. no way to live from performance. to the gallery. Jeff Koons was a just me but a whole bunch of us A whole bunch of men didn’t pleasure. We were all astonished. more physical and fundamental. where they would no way to live from performance. to the gallery. Jeff Koons was a OO just me but a whole bunch of us A whole bunch of men didn’t pleasure. We were all astonished. more physical and fundamental. OO New York City where they would There were now these trader in Wall Street. He was an were doing things that didn’t fit like my work. They found that I have a connection with animals, On some of the records released play evening and morning ragas 1. Tom Johnson’s article “The Minimal There were now thesebusinessy businessy trader in Wall Street. He was an OO were doing things that didn’t fit like my work. They found that I have a connection with animals, On some of the records released OO play evening and morning ragas 1. Tom Johnson’s article “The Minimal Slow-MotionSlow-Motion Approach: Approach: Alvin Lucier and and peoplepeople who who wanted wanted to to develop develop unusualunusual new new artist artist formula. formula. Most Most SS inin thethe rigidrigid categoriescategories ofof thethe artart I wasI was tootoo enigmaticenigmatic andand incon- but it’s true that it’s more animist byby MosesMoses Asch,Asch, youyou couldcould alsoalso SS andand I remember I remember a a concert concert that that thethe whole whole scene scene – but – but there there was was artistsartists were were poor poor and and not not great great ofof thethe time:time: conceptual,conceptual, minimal,minimal, sistentsistent in their view. You couldn’t than it is actual. WhenWhen I wasI was aa hearhear thethe junglejungle oror whereverwherever wentwent from from 10 o’clock 10 o’clock at at night night till till Others”Others” (originally (originally published published in in the the Village Village SS SS VoiceVoice, 30 March, 30 March 1972) 1972) seems seems to to have have been been nothingnothing to to develop develop in in performanc performanc-- atat business. business. But But Koons Koons already already PP alternative…alternative… ItIt allall becamebecame veryvery trusttrust whatwhat I mightI might do. I was too kid, my mother once let us have theythey werewere recordedrecorded – they– they werewere PP 8 o’clock8 o’clock in in the the morning. morning. thethe first first to to use use the the word word minimal minimal in in the the eses and and installations, installations, they they were were all all camecame with with a a million million dollars. dollars. That That PP categorizedcategorized andand marketed.marketed. AnyAny unpredictable. Women liked me a dog, but we didn’t take care of recordedrecorded outdoorsoutdoors mostly,mostly, inin PP I alsoI also used used to to live live for for a a very very contextcontext of of music. music. His His articles articles of of the the time time tootoo ephemeral. ephemeral. There There were were only only a a waswas maybe maybe 1980. 1980. The The whole whole EE ofof usus whowho werewere sortsort ofof tryingtrying toto more, but then, as some women it enough, soso itit quicklyquickly leftleft thethe theirtheir naturalnatural habitat.habitat. ForFor me,me, EE shortshort time time in in Hawaii. Hawaii. I love I love the the werewere later later compiled compiled in in Tom Tom JOHNSON, JOHNSON, fewfew early early conceptual conceptual art art dealers. dealers. energyenergy was was different different and and I saw I saw dodo somethingsomething in-betweenin-between – Tony– Tony toldtold meme later,later, theythey weren’t able house and we never had animals thatthat alreadyalready becamebecame muchmuch moremore soundsound of of the the ukulele. ukulele. I used I used to to play play TheThe Voice Voice of of New New Music: Music: New New York York City City CC CC 1972-19821972-1982, Eindhoven,, Eindhoven, Apollohuis, Apollohuis, 1989. 1989. ButBut then then there there started started to to be be a a new new mymy end end begin. begin. It It was was horrible. horrible. CC ConradConrad oror JackJack Smith,Smith, forfor exam-- toto helphelp meme either,either, because they again. My mother also took all my interesting.interesting. AsAs I hadI had beenbeen singingsinging CC itit when when I was I was 12 years 12 years old, old, around around 2.2. FoundedFounded in 1957, in 1957, L’Attico L’Attico is is a a contem contem- - possibilitypossibility for for art art business business around around I sawI saw my my gradual gradual demise demise in in my my art art TT ple –ple – didn’tdidn’t findfind itit easyeasy toto makemake were helping themselves at that teddy bears, and threwthrew themthem outout asas aa youngyoung boyboy inin synagogue,synagogue, TT thethe time time that that I was I was playing playing with with poraryporary art art gallery, gallery, which which had had been been a a 1976-77-781976-77-78 and and a a whole whole new new series series scenescene of of the the seventies. seventies. In In 1978, 1978, II thisthis newnew inroadinroad intointo artart andand busibusi-- period. Women artists were just when she felt I had become too resonantresonant spacesspaces likelike churcheschurches II TinyTiny Tim, Tim, who who was was a a contemporary contemporary gatheringgathering point point for for the the Arte Arte Povera Povera artists artists ofof dealers dealers arrived. arrived. I got I got stuck stuck I wasI was 32 32 years years old old and and my my career career ness.ness. I wasI was inin thethe samesame position.position. beginning to find their respect in old to still have them. oror synagoguessynagogues seemedseemed moremore ofof Allen Ginsberg and and other other beat beat atat the the end end of of the the 1960s, 1960s, and and a a platform platform for for VV VV avant-gardeavant-garde performers performers and and composers composers VV I didn’tI didn’t fitfit intointo thethe categoriescategories ofof thethe system,system, soso theythey couldn’t help But there are other, deeper interestinginteresting toto meme thanthan traditionaltraditional VV poets,poets, and and Moondog… Moondog… That That was was fromfrom the the United United States. States. EE thethe time.time. a male artist, even if they saw that connections. Right here, there’s aa Western music halls. EE oneone of of my my first first jobs jobs as as a a teenager. teenager. 3.3. FourFour Manifestations Manifestations On On Six Six Elements Elements, , YouYou hadhad toto bebe seenseen asas aa I wasI was ostracizedostracized byby thethe men’s club sculpture of Ganesh from Boro-- ThereThere waswas alsoalso aa recordrecord thatthat TinyTiny Tim Tim played played ukulele ukulele and and sang sang NewNew York, York, Sonnabend Sonnabend Gallery, Gallery, 1974, 1974, unifiedunified entityentity – and– and I wasn’t.I wasn’t. I wasI was of the art world. The “minimalist budur (Indonesia) that’s almost a camecame outout inin thosethose daysdays byby PaulPaul andand I played I played bongo bongo drums drums for for him, him, double double LP. LP. 4.4. BodyBody Music I Music I (1973-74, (1973-74, 12’54’’, 12’54’’, b&w, b&w, sound) sound) seenseen asas aa performanceperformance artist,artist, artists” were unsettled, annoyed thousand years old.old. ItIt isis thethe oldestoldest Horn, a flute playerplayer whowho wouldwould inin Greenwich Greenwich Village. Village. I was I was always always andand Body Body Music Music II II (1973-74, (1973-74, 8’09’’, 8’09’’, b&w, b&w, whichwhich wasn’twasn’t aa goodgood thing to be by my bears and toys. They object in this house. It’s made playplay hishis fluteflute inin different,different, veryvery hanginghanging out out in in the the Village Village coffee coffee sound).sound). seenseen as,as, becausebecause thatthat mademade youyou thoughtthought I wouldI would notnot present my from volcanic rock.rock. GaneshGanesh eveneven strangestrange acoustics.acoustics. OnOn oneone ofof hishis shops,shops, wearing wearing sunglasses sunglasses and and – even– even now –now – lessless marketablemarketable work with sufficient seriousness. inspired mymy God Bear forfor DocuDocu-- most famous records, InsideInside thethe aa beret. beret. I was I was a a crazy-looking crazy-looking and and thanthan aa painter,painter, oror someonesomeone whowho Some artists wouldn’t like to be menta 8. It wasn’t the teddy bear TajTaj MahalMahal [originally[originally titledtitled InsideInside,, crazy-actingcrazy-acting kid kid – – meshuggameshugga, , waswas strictlystrictly anan installationinstallation art-- seenseen or associated with me. that inspired it, butbut aa three-headthree-head-- Epic,Epic, 1968],1968], hehe playsplays differentdifferent riffsriffs likelike my my grandfather grandfather used used to to say: say: ist,ist, oror whatever.whatever. ThereThere areare aa fewfew Several important critics ed Ganesh that I had in the 1980s. atat thethe TajTaj MahalMahal andand thethe riffsriffs dodo “Shirley,“Shirley, your your son son is is so so meshug meshug-- exceptions.exceptions. MarinaMarina Abramovi?Abramovi? toldtold meme toto getget ridrid of my animals. I often say thatthat Ganesh,Ganesh, whowho hashas what a sequencer oror anan electronelectron-- ga!ga!”” Meshugga Meshugga is is a a Yiddish Yiddish word word workedworked veryvery hardhard to make perfor-- They liked my body art, but they been a Hindu divinity since the icic looperlooper wouldwould do.do. ItIt justjust keepskeeps fromfrom the the late late nineteenth nineteenth century century mancemance intointo something that’s very didn’t like those animals. They 4th or 5th century, is really the resonatingresonating andand thethe samesame soundsound is is thatthat means means crazy crazy or or nutty. nutty. I would I would marketablemarketable and very important, a said:said: “Get rid of those animals!” first nounours [teddy[teddy bear].bear]. TheThe returningreturning becausebecause ofof thethe uniqueunique lovelove him him to to be be alive alive now now and and see see world-classworld-class form.form. But I was else-- “I better“I better getget rid of you!” I told reason for me deciding toto callcall allall resonanceresonance ofof thethe TajTaj Mahal.Mahal. whatwhat I’ve I’ve been been doing. doing. He’d He’d go go back back where,where, tootoo everywhereeverywhere perhaps, them.them. PeoplePeople saidsaid back then that teddy bears and stuffedstuffed animalsanimals TheseThese werewere earlyearly influences.influences. ButBut andand say: say: “You “You see! see! I said I said he he was was , 1974 , 1974 thanthan mymy otherother colleagues.colleagues. I wasn’tI wasn’t I wasI was totallytotally ridiculous.ridiculous. Except divinities probablyprobably comescomes fromfrom notnot LaLa MonteMonte Young.Young. AlthoughAlthough totallytotally meshugga meshugga!”!” onon thethe straightstraight andand narrownarrow pathpath thatthat sincesince thenthen therethere have been a my connection with Ganesh. peoplepeople keptkept tellingtelling meme thatthat ourour forfor marketingmarketing mymy work.work. I wasn’tI wasn’t lotlot ofof otherother artistsartists whowho havehave used Ganesh is probably the oldest works were similar, I didn’tI didn’t hearhear straightstraight andand narrow.narrow. what they’d called ridiculousness and the most significant animal that.that. TheThe onlyonly similaritysimilarity isis thatthat it’sit’s Later,Later, performanceperformance wentwent intointo as part of their style and market- divinity, and the teddy bear is one aa continuumcontinuum ofof unbrokenunbroken sound.sound. punk.punk. I wasI was pre-punk,pre-punk, andand manymany inging strategy.strategy. I’mI’m actuallyactually quite of his later disciples, invented in InIn thosethose days,days, hishis sonoritiessonorities couldcould

Four Motion Studies Motion Four “Pre-enactment”“Pre-enactment” Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine: Palestine: Aa Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve Sschmmettrroossppecctivve, ,BOZAR, BOZAR, Centre Centre for for Fine Fine Arts,Arts, Brussels,Brussels, 1818 MayMay –– 2626 AugustAugust 20182018 Studies Motion Four 6666 ofof thethe punkspunks camecame andand rescuedrescued a classic ridiculous now, after Brooklyn in 1902. lastlast forever,forever, butbut I wasI was alreadyalready 6767

SomeSome artists artists seem seem to to have have been been MichelMichel Baudson Baudson elaborates elaborates on on the the bornborn for for the the Centre Centre for for Fine Fine Arts. Arts. topictopic in in detail, detail, a a bit bit further further on on in in this this TheyThey embody embody the the dream dream of of the the publication.publication. The The interaction interaction between between GesamtkunstwerkGesamtkunstwerk in in this this Brussels Brussels classicalclassical and and contemporary contemporary musi musi-- ‘Bauhaus’‘Bauhaus’ of of the the arts, arts, where where the the cians,cians, and and between between the the music music world world visionaryvisionary architect architect Victor Victor Horta Horta made made andand the the contemporary contemporary music music circuit circuit thethe corridors corridors meander, meander, so so the the tight tight camecame about about very very naturally naturally during during the the wallswalls would would be be made made tender. tender. Or Or let’s let’s 1970s.1970s. From From the the bustling bustling New New York York formulateformulate it it differently: differently: the the Centre Centre neighbourhoodneighbourhood of of SoHo, SoHo, the the former former forfor Fine Fine Arts Arts seems seems to to have have been been carilloncarillon player player Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine Palestine conceivedconceived in in the the 1920s 1920s for for the the multi multi-- waswas making making himself himself heard, heard, in in an an ever- ever- media-drivenmedia-driven minds minds of of tomorrow. tomorrow. The The louderlouder manner. manner. dreamdream of of a a total total work work of of art art reaches reaches AA whole whole lot lot has has happened happened wayway beyond beyond a a simple simple addition addition of of sincesince then. then. Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine Palestine parts:parts: painting painting + + sculpture sculpture + + music music + + camecame to to live live in in Brussels Brussels and and married married theatretheatre + + musical musical theatre theatre + + photogra photogra-- AudeAude Stoclet, Stoclet, the the granddaughter granddaughter of of phyphy + + literature literature + + the the applied applied arts arts + + AdolpheAdolphe Stoclet. Stoclet. At At the the start start of of the the …… A A synthesis synthesis of of the the arts arts is is no no sum sum twentiethtwentieth century century her her grandfather grandfather total,total, but but a a multiplication, multiplication, an an artistic artistic hadhad nurtured nurtured the the same same dream dream of of the the quantumquantum leap leap forwards. forwards. Charlemagne Charlemagne GesamtkunstwerkGesamtkunstwerk. .He He enabled enabled it it PalestinePalestine is is one one of of those those unclassifi unclassifi-- toto be be realized realized in in a a masterful masterful way way in in ableable artists artists who who fully fully comes comes into into his his Sint-PietersSint-Pieters Woluwe/Woluwe-Saint- Woluwe/Woluwe-Saint- ownown in in a a Centre Centre for for Fine Fine Arts. Arts. His His Pierre,Pierre, by by the the Viennese Viennese architect architect Jozef Jozef AA AA musicmusic paints paints with with sound sound colours. colours. Hoffman.Hoffman. The The Palais Palais Stoclet, Stoclet, as as a a AA AA HisHis installations installations grow grow rampant. rampant. We We wholewhole – – the the building building and and its its contents contents – – S are happyare happy to to give give him him free free rein. rein. isis on on the the UNESCO UNESCO World World Heritage Heritage list. list. SS S S S DuringDuring the the 1960s 1960s and and 70s 70s the the InIn 2002, 2002, in in Horta’s Horta’s Palace, Palace, the the BOZAR- BOZAR- S S C C multimultimedia media dream dream fully fully burst burst open open with with projectproject was was developed, developed, with with an an over over-- C C H H thethe happening happening culture culture of of Fluxus. Fluxus. Even Even archingarching programme programme and and a a renewed renewed H H M M beforebefore May May ’68, ’68, when when the the hall hall was was interdisciplinaryinterdisciplinary and and inter-sectoral inter-sectoral M M M M occupiedoccupied for for two two weeks weeks by by artists artists and and mission.mission. Today, Today, new new media media open open it it M M EE EE students,students, the the artistic artistic programmers programmers upup to to even even more more possibilities. possibilities. But But the the TT TT werewere striving striving for for a a less less rigid rigid setting setting divisionsdivisions today today lie lie not not so so much much ana ana-- TT TT betweenbetween the the exhibition exhibition circuits circuits and and the the loguelogue versus versus digital, digital, but but rather rather that that RR RR concertconcert hall. hall. Victor Victor Horta Horta had had con con-- betweenbetween minds minds that that are are monomaniac monomaniac RR RR ceived the central hall as an exhibition or open. Charlemagne Palestine ceived the central hall as an exhibition or open. Charlemagne Palestine OO OO place for large sculptures, but the time remains a refreshing source for art- place for large sculptures, but the time remains a refreshing source for art- OO OO ofof Rodin Rodin & & co. co. had had by by then then passed. passed. istsists who who dare dare to to think think and and act act outside outside SS SS SoonSoon the the sculpture sculpture hall hall became became a a salle salle ofof the the box. box. In In his his case, case, imagination imagination SS SS desdes pas-perdus pas-perdus, ,an an echoing echoing space space hashas colourfully colourfully reigned reigned supreme supreme for for PP PP ofof aimless aimless footsteps. footsteps. With With a a mobile mobile halfhalf a a century. century. PP PP tubingtubing system system in in the the early early 1970s, 1970s, it it EE EE waswas transformed transformed into into a a lively lively “station “station WelcomeWelcome to to CharleWorld! CharleWorld! CC CC hallhall for for the the arts”, arts”, a a “three-dimensional “three-dimensional CC CC sculpture”sculpture” or or an an “animation “animation hall”. hall”. TT TT There,There, you you could could encounter encounter a a mix mix of of EtienneEtienne Davignon Davignon II II experimentalexperimental music, music, jazz jazz concerts, concerts, PresidentPresident of of the the Centre Centre for for VV VV performances,performances, experiential experiential exhibitions exhibitions Fine Arts, BrusselsFine Arts, Brussels VV VV andand all all sorts sorts of of debates. debates. You You could could also also EE EE findfind a a radio radio studio studio and and a a snack snack bar bar in in PaulPaul Dujardin Dujardin thethe hall. hall. In In that that open open setting, setting, in in 1974, 1974, Director-generalDirector-general of of the the Centre Centre uponupon the the request request of of Karel Karel J. J. Geirlandt, Geirlandt, for Fine Arts,for Fine Arts, Brussels Brussels thethe new new director director of of the the Société Société des des Expositions,Expositions, and and the the comic comic strip strip artist artist SophieSophie Lauwers Lauwers Hergé,Hergé, Charlemagne Charlemagne Palestine Palestine gave gave DirectorDirector Artistic Artistic Policy Policy of of the the whatwhat has has become become a a legendary legendary concert. concert. CentreCentre for Fine for Fine Arts, Arts, Brussels Brussels

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MER. Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve GesammttkkunnsttMeshuggahhLaandttttGesammttkkunnsttMeshuggahhLaandtttt, ,Kunsthalle Kunsthalle Wien, Wien, Vienna, Vienna, 18 18 September September – – 8 8 November November 20152015

MER. Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve MER. Aa Sschmmettrroossppecctivve