In his latest project “Manifesto”, artist Julian Rosefeldt invites you to wander between thirteen short films, each featuring actress Cate Blanchett taking on a variety of roles as she recites a patchwork of excerpts from artistic, historical and political manifestos. On one screen, she is a school teacher handing out books to six-year-olds whilst explaining the principles of film-making, and on another she slurs her words as a drug-addled rock star stumbling around a dressing room, spitting phrases of revolution. Cutting and collaging the manifestos, Rosefeldt simultaneously illustrates and undermines their relevance to our modern society. The thirteen screens loop independently, yet there is an overlying aura of sound and speech that occasionally moves together, bringing the entire installation to a point of pause and reflection. It’s fascinating not only for the content of the speeches, but also due to the utterly captivating Blanchett and the beautifully shot clips which frame her, all filmed here in Berlin. Visit when it’s less busy, and try to listen to each and every word. (Text: Antonia Harris / Photo: (top) Thomas Bruns)
Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum for Contemporary Art, Invalidenstr.50-51, 10557 Berlin-Moabit; map
Exhibition: 10.2-10.7.2016; Sat-Wed 11-18h, Thu 11-20h
