Berlin

Erik Schmidt | Suitwatcher's Anonymous

08.07.–09.08.2003

Suitwatchers Anonymous (2003, video, 6 min.) abducts the viewer – in dreamlike, fragmented images – into the world of a young, well-dressed suit-wearer, played by the artist, who confers strenuously via conference telephone beside a swimming pool on a roof terrace. This situation of a ”young urban professional”, with all the accompanying lifestyle attributes, suddenly shifts when the suit-wearer falls into the pool. What initially appears to be a disaster – death by drowning – becomes lightheartedly fun play. Caressed by blue liquid, the suit-wearer sheds his shoes and jacket and, without any shortness of breath, enjoys himself under water. This poetic figure overlaps images of perfectly styled, posing suit-wearers, passing over to a third scene. In stage-like surroundings, the suit-wearer begins whipping a black leather couch with his belt until he tears the couch’s surface and finally falls backward onto it with an insane expression.

 

Installation Views

  • Erik Schmidt, Suitwatcher’s Anonymous, exhibition view at carlier | gebauer, 2003

  • Erik Schmidt, Suitwatcher’s Anonymous, exhibition view at carlier | gebauer, 2003

  • Erik Schmidt, Suitwatcher’s Anonymous, exhibition view at carlier | gebauer, 2003

  • Erik Schmidt, Suitwatcher’s Anonymous, exhibition view at carlier | gebauer, 2003

  • Erik Schmidt, Suitwatcher’s Anonymous, exhibition view at carlier | gebauer, 2003