margarethe
kollmer
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THE THING IS

The thing is is a semi-fictional animation that combines transferred images of internet porn with blog post text fragments that ask for guidance. Surreal effects occur due to the translation of material, renegotiating boundaries of bodies and distinct meanings. Additional imagery is taken from public parks. With the anthropomorphic figures remaining completely motionless, the camera is the only actor. The work investigates questions of agency and objectification in a hyper-surveilled environment.

The thing is comprises a 30 min long version that creates a coherent narration from the material, a series of autonomous clips that can be shown separately and 3D prints of the figures in the animation.



I AM NOT SPEAKING. SPEAKING IS WHEN SOMEONE’S LISTENING. AND YOU MAKE SOUNDS. I’M NOT MAKING SOUNDS I AM QUIET

THERE IS NOBODY HERE RIGHT NOW.
IT’S ALL QUIET NOW.
I WOULD LIKE TO LIE DOWN.




I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO SAY TO ME.
I WOULD LIKE TO REST MY EYES.
I HAVE TO DO THIS FIRST BEFORE I LEAVE.




DON’T BE SAD
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT’S GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE
I CAN’T SEE IT
WHAT IS IT
THEY NEED IT BACK