Norbert Pfaffenbichler:

Pandoras Box Party

25.–27.10.2024

Norbert Pfaffenbichler is a protagonist of Austrian experimental film whose cinematic works have been shown at festivals including Venice and Locarno. Yet, as a conceptual artist and curator, he works beyond the boundaries of avant-garde experimental film with a keen interest in genre films that open up new perspectives on the world and in working with installations. Oscillating between horror and humor, repeatedly touching on art-historical and historical references and creating visual allegories on the themes of photography, film and psychoanalysis, his opulent oeuvre bears witness to a deep interest in both abstract and narrative approaches. 

Focusing in particular on modernism, Pfaffenbicher does not view the era as a utopian or wholly positive movement; he is rather concerned with its dark and grotesque sides. His work is often an ironic commentary on artistic practices of self-portrayal and his own status as an artist in general.

In cooperation with this year’s Klanglicht — Festival of Sound and Vision, Pfaffenbichler will display a new work commissioned by HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark entitled Pandoras Box Party. Consisting of high-contrast images of countless intertwined and distorted human bodies, Pfaffenbichler’s surrealistic video installation will be projected onto the inside of the glass cube at the entrance to HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark. The installation, only visible from outside, creates an eerie atmosphere by seeming to transgress real and physical boundaries, which is further enhanced by an acoustic accompaniment of deep, gloomy drones. An abstract lyrical text animation is also broadcasted on monitors in the outdoor area.

The video, the music and the text are AI-generated. Imagery of naked bodies of performers of all ages and genders are alienated by the AI in such a way that a sea of bodies in constant metamorphosis is generated from the variously dimensioned organs, faces and limbs. Arms turn into legs, faces become hands and limbs transform into bodies.

While musician Wolfgang Frisch produces powerful, chorale-like and expansive drones based on human voices, author Barbara Kaufman will write a surreal text on the subject of dreams and transformation. Who knows, perhaps even in reference to Franz Kafka’s story The Metamorphosis (1912), which tells of Gregor Samsa’s mutation into a beetle. After all, it is not only the human body that is under increased pressure to become more efficient and functional; the vulnerability of bodies and the constitution of society are once again increasingly up for disposition.

Cooperation: Klanglicht
Curator: Sandro Droschl