REINIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT AUTONOMY AND POLITICAL ACTION - REINIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT ( whose German implications range from “Cleaning Service' to “Purification Society ”) is working on field research dealing with informal artist ’s networks in Japan. The goal is the preparation of points of reference and the mapping of an exemplary case study. Thesis 1: Growing Pressures on social relations to economise lead to greater solidarity and to the formation of informal artist ’s networks. In this way, resources for produc tion and infrastructure ( spaces, technology, relationships) can be supported. Public relations work can also be organised, target groups sought and profiles developed. An interdisciplinary dialogue makes possible the construction of international relationships and networks. Temporary forms of transitional production elude official politicisa tion. Economic forms in non- profit areas (volunteer work, self- exploitation, barter economies) must be critically interrogated. Thesis 2: The formation of group identities has effects on artistic contents. Politicisation and economisation are prolonged down into the small- scale structures of the artistic networks. It is virtually impossible to tell whether this occurs by compulsion or voluntarily. The organisational structure is based on voluntary work, but is also dependent on public assistance, donations, and sponsorship. Thesis 3: Spheres of artistic action consciously choose society as a system of references for their own production. In this sense, no autonomy actually exists. Moreover, the innovative potentialities of alternative forms of life and of production are assimilated and integrated as elements of a temporary lifestyle culture.
CV - REINIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT The artists REINIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT (RG) are an artistic group at the interface between art and society. Cleaning is a process of renewal. Society stands for teamwork and the social context. Henrik Mayer - Born 1971 in Freiberg/Germany, lives and works in Dresden. Martin Keil - Born 1968 in Schlema/Germany, lives and works in Dresden.
Solo exhibitions (selection) 2003
2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 L ectures (selection) •
Hochschule für Gestaltung, Zürich |