Untitled - EMAF

AUSSTELLUNG // EXHIBITION
›Security‹ is a new video installation by German artist Melanie Manchot. Filmed outside Ibiza's seven super clubs, the work consists of
a single screen projection and seven monitors. Each monitor shows a night-club bouncer standing in front of the entrance to the nightclub
where they work. They are filmed in daylight, wearing their normal security outfits. These men are at the pinnacle of this male dominated
profession, and hold the keys to a good time to the thousands of international visitors who flock to Ibiza for its world renown club
scene. It is the power that these men hold that fascinated Manchot, and she has questioned both their self image and our image of them
by asking each of them to carry out a simple task. Manchot has asked each bouncer to strip for the camera, in their own time, in front of
the doors where they work. As the security men proceed to undress, stripping completely until naked, they stand and pose for the camera
for as long as they feel they can and then get dressed again. Throughout the process, the camera remains static, observing them, recording
the physical, emotional and psychological transformations that these men undergo.
Each man relates and performs differently, however what is revealed is actually quite similar. Their self worth and personal relationship
to their own bodies is laid bare, as is the way that they use clothing to create an impression or extended image of power, an impression
that is underscored by the enormous amount of time and effort these men have lavished on their bodies. ›Security‹ will be installed
as a large-scale projection accompanied by a series of seven moving images of the same men standing fully clothed, awaiting their turn to
strip. Having these two modes of presentation aims to produce oscillations between stasis and action, between active and passive, tensions
between strength and vulnerability. The soundtrack of the videos consists simply of the ambient sounds of undressing, the clanking
of shoes, zips opening and closing, the rustling of clothes against skin and the occasional unexpected clattering of objects falling out of
pockets.
›… His skin would seem to burst over such a mass of muscle. Buried in his clumsy movements is that sense of sadness of an over bred
species, caught in his own monstrous body. He is a paradoxical creature: built to please, to be looked at, yet how can such an absurd body
engage in sex, other than with itself... .‹ (Translated extract from Feuilleton of Sueddeutsche Zeitung, essay on Ibiza titled ›Around the
clock, always on the edge‹ by Dirk Peitz)
Melanie Manchot, * 1966. She studied Art, Education and Photography at New York University, City University, London and the
Royal College of Art, London. M. Manchot teaches at several academies and universities as Goldsmith College, University of London, New
York University, Royal College of Art, London and at Central Saint Martin College of Art & Design, London. She has received several international
awards: Chesterton Award; Fuji Award, British Council Award, John Kobal Photographic Portrait Award, Welde Kunstpreis as
well as grants of Arts Council of England and British Council.
Solo Exhibitions (Selection)
2005 The Photographers Gallery, London (GB);
2004 Rhodes + Mann Gallery, London (GB);
2003 Leicester City Art Gallery (GB); off site Rhodes + Mann project, London, England
2002 Cornerhouse Manchester (GB) Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (USA); Städtische Galerie Wolfsburg,
Wolfsburg (D); University of Illinois Art Gallery (USA);
2001 Art Sway, New Forest (GB); Fotogalerie in der Feuerwache, Mannheim (D);
2000 Fotogallery, Cardiff (GB);
Group Shows (Selection)
2005 First Moscow Biennale (RUS); Detroit International Film + Video Festival (USA); Fotogalerie Wien (A)
2004 39 Gallery, London (GB); The Academy of the West of England, Bristol (GB); tank.tv, ICA, Institute of Contemporary
Art, London (GB); Jardin Botanico, Bogota (COL);
2003 MIT List Visual Art Centre, Boston (USA); Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago (USA); City Gallery,
Prague (CZ); Deutsches Museum, Berlin (D); House of Photography, Moscow (RUS); Courtauld Institute, London (GB);
2002 The Russel Coates Museum & Art Gallery, Bournmouth (GB); Fotogalerie Wien (A);
2001 Hasselblad Centre, Goteburg (S); Galerie La Peripherie, Paris (F); London Institute Gallery (GB);
2000 Schweizerisches Landesmuseum, Zurich (CH); Bucknell Art Gallery, Lewisburg, (USA);
1999 Siemens Kulturforum, München (D), Culturgest, Lisbon (P);
1998 The Whitechapel Gallery, London (GB); Musee de l'Elysee, Lausanne (CH);
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