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Carsten Holler
The Baudouin/Boudewijn Experiment.
A Deliberate, Non-Fatalistic Large Scale Group
Experiment in Deviation/ /2000
Originally trained as a phytopathologist, Carsten Holler often creates experiments in
which human participants are subject to behavioural situations. The
Baudouin/Boudewijn Experiment: A Deliberate, Non-Fatalistic, Large-Scale
Group Experiment in Deviation was originally planned for the Brussels City of
Culture 2000, but was banned after the Queen of Belgium (Baudouin's widow)
objected to Holler's proposal. The project finally tool< place the following year, and
proposes collective action as a fo rm of radical inactivity. It has no visual
documentation.
The late king of Belgium, Baudouin or Boudewijn, found a remarkable solution to
a personal dilemma. As a king, he was supposed to sign eVelY new law
established by the parliament. His contribution to the actual formulation of the
law, however, was null, thus producing a purely formalistic act in signing the
document. At a certain time, the parliament was working out a law which would
liberalize abortion. Baudouin/Boudewijn, being a confessed catholic, had moral
problems signing the paper; on the other hand, he did not want to obstruct the
implementation of a new law. When the time came and his signature was
requested, he resigned from being a king for one day. Another king was elected
for this one day, who signed the new law. The following day, Baudouin/Boudewijn
was king again.
The solution to this dilemma is ingeniously simple. It is a short-term
deviation from your usual behaviour, a shift in character for the sake of avoiding
producing something you don't want to produce, a refusal in time to be the
professional you usually are. It is as if you would cut off a continuous line of
being. Stop, and start again? Not a change in what you do, but to include an alien
moment of not doing. A deviation, a negative deviation even, since the way is
shortened by including a moment of motionlessness.
The experiment planned here will be as follows: a space is provided to
accommodate 200 people, willing to step out of their 'usual life' for 24 hours (the
amount of time during which the king was not king). The space will be closed
from the outside world and mobile phones, radios or TVs will not be allowed.
This is to emphasize the group aspect of the experiment and to create a structure
in which the 'step-out' can be done commonly. The necessary infrastructure
(furniture, food, sanitary installations, safety) will be provided, but it is refrained
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