Pseudo-Event in the Corridor

Photo documentation of an action

Photographer: Akari Nishii
Documentation: Nina Gribat, Vanja Larberg
2003

Supported by Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, Dessau, Germany
Event series took place in Berlin, Brest, Minsk, Smolensk and Moscow while travelling through Germany, Poland, Belarus and Russia.

What will be the most obvious and the most effective method for a participating observer, who only spends one day in a particular city, to learn something about the attitudes and character of the local people? Let’s take advantage of the annoying stereotypes. Pretend to be a tourist! Allow the locals to label you “tourist”! By doing so, you will be able to establish a relationship between them and yourself which will already bring you closer together. 
During my Bauhaus Scholarship research, I turned these cities into my tourist destinations. In each of these cities I chose one of the most important tourist attractions. In Berlin I visited the Brandenburg Gate, in Brest the Brest Fortress, in Minsk the Central Square with the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, in Smolensk I went to the fortress wall, and, finally, in Moscow I visited the Red Square.
The title reflects the lack of authenticity inherent in tourists’ adventures.

All works

art and technology researcher
media artist

Barbara Sterk
art and technology researcher
media artist

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