PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1105_JCLARK
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1144_JCLARK
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1099_JCLARK
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1098_JCLARK
Sissi
Sissi
video / sculpture
Bird cage, tablet, video: 0.20 min., DV transferred to HD, loop
2005
"In the center of the video, a young, dark-haired woman sits on a narrow bar, barefooted and dressed in a yellow top and beige skirt. (…) The woman's blank facial expression reinforces the impression of isolation and loneliness. Suddenly, the woman opens her mouth, but unlike expected, instead of a human voice, only a short, melodic warbling can be heard. The acoustic level and the title “Sissi” finally pave the way to understanding what is seen: In Marcin's video work, the woman as a decorative object merges with the entertaining songbird in the cage. (…) leaves an anxious feeling of amusement."
Written by Nadia Ismail for the Videonale 10 catalog
Sissi
Video/Film – 2005
DV, 0:20 min, Loop
Sculpture:
Wooden Box
50 × 50 × 50 cm (20 × 20 × 20 in)
In the video Sissi we see Marcin sitting on a perch like a bird in front of a dark background that clings to her. By inviting the viewer to watch the scenery through a peep hole in a box that contains a monitor, the installation provokes claustrophobic feelings and critically references the idea of the woman as a decorative object.
Marcin’s body seems oddly isolated and the expression on her face arouses a feeling of loneliness. Unexpectedly, she opens her mouth and a short, melodic tweet becomes audible evoking a human voice. The video creates a tension between the woman as a decorative object and the unsettling singing that comes from the monitor-cage. The yellow dress becomes a feather dress. The woman’s quavering voice seems intriguing, appalling and surreal.
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1105_JCLARK
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1144_JCLARK
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1099_JCLARK
PSF24_03_SAP-Space_1098_JCLARK
Sissi
Sissi
video / sculpture
Bird cage, tablet, video: 0.20 min., DV transferred to HD, loop
2005
"In the center of the video, a young, dark-haired woman sits on a narrow bar, barefooted and dressed in a yellow top and beige skirt. (…) The woman's blank facial expression reinforces the impression of isolation and loneliness. Suddenly, the woman opens her mouth, but unlike expected, instead of a human voice, only a short, melodic warbling can be heard. The acoustic level and the title “Sissi” finally pave the way to understanding what is seen: In Marcin's video work, the woman as a decorative object merges with the entertaining songbird in the cage. (…) leaves an anxious feeling of amusement."
Written by Nadia Ismail for the Videonale 10 catalog
EXHIBITIONS
S: Solo Exhibition | G: Group Exhibition | Sc: Screening
A Question of Intervals and Scales, SAP Space, Berlin, 2024 (G)
European Attitude, Zendai MoMA, Shanghai, 2008 (G)
VIDEONALE.10, Kunstmuseum Bonn, Bonn, 2005 (G)
To preview, 3. Emsdettener Kuratorenworkshop, Gallery Münsterland, Emsdetten, 2005 (S)
Rundgang, Kunstakademie Münster, Münster, 2005 (G)
PRESS
Ilyn Wong, “Intersectional Fembots: An Interview with Nadja Verena Marcin”, Berlin Art Link, Berlin, 20 Feb, 2024.
