23.06.2017 – 30.07.2017 / 10:00 a.m. – 06:00 p.m. Tue/Fri-Sun – 10:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. Wed/Thu
Kunsthaus Zürich
Heimplatz 1
CH–8001 Zürich
Switzerland
Exhibition
Action!
Art lives from participation
Why are ephemeral and process-oriented forms of art back in fashion? In our “Action!” exhibition we set out to answer this question, examining the concept in both its formal and its political sense.
The refugee crisis, the resurgence of right-wing populist parties and the questioning of fundamental democratic values are impacting art as well. Artists are voicing opposition to trends towards curtailing individual freedom.
As long ago as 1967, Allan Kaprow called for the modern museum to become an ‘agency for action’, serving as a platform for social engagement. Now, a young generation of artists are revisiting the heyday of performances, happenings and art actions in the 1960s and 1970s. For its part, the Kunsthaus is opening up a space for live actions and performances. Historical performances are being revived or presented in new stagings, while our five-week exhibition presents works in which you too can be an active participant. Why not get involved and share? Upload your sounds and pictures, sign a postcard to the Pope.
Includes works by: Mounira Al Solh (b. 1978), Francis Alÿs (b. 1959), Nina Beier (b. 1975), !Mediengruppe Bitnik, Trisha Brown (1936–2017), Tania Bruguera (b. 1968), Lucinda Childs (b. 1940) / Ruth Childs ( b. 1984), Guy Debord (1931–1994), Valie Export (b. 1940), William Forsythe (b. 1949), Simone Forti (b. 1935), Guerrilla Girls, Sharon Hayes (b. 1970), Adelita Husni-Bey (b. 1985), Florence Jung (b. 1986), Allan Kaprow (1927–2006) / San Keller (b. 1971), Georg Keller (b. 1981), Dieter Meier (b. 1945), Musée de la danse / Boris Charmatz (b. 1973) / Aernout Mik (b. 1962), Yoko Ono (b. 1933), Ahmet Ögut (b. 1981), Adrian Piper (b. 1948), Alexandra Pirici (b. 1982), Rimini Protokoll, Tracey Rose (b. 1974), Tino Sehgal (b. 1976), Marinella Senatore (b. 1977), Cally Spooner (b. 1983), Koki Tanaka (b. 1975).