Relocating a Structure essay film / 2024
“Perhaps that is precisely the task of the arts in a time when many societies are once again becoming prone to totalitarianism. They can help facilitate criticism by exposing totalitarian structures.”
—Ahn-Lihn Ngo (architectural theorist)
In her project Relocating a Structure. German Pavilion 2022, 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, Maria Eichhorn examines the eventful history of the German Pavilion since the beginnings of the Biennale and the powerful resistance art demonstrates when it focuses on social conditions.
“The German Pavilion represents a challenge for artists on several completely different levels. With every attempt at deconstruction, one is confronted with it yet again. I regard the German Pavilion not as isolated, but as part of an ensemble and engaged in interplay with other pavilions and other country participations in terms of national-territorial and geopolitical, global-economic, and ecological developments.”
—Maria Eichhorn (artist)
"Relocating a Structure" is one of the eight films documenting Maria Eichhorn's project for the German Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2022. The film explores the relocation of the German Pavilion building, delving deeper into the philosophical ideas behind the project, drawing parallels with historical house removal practices and Italian resistance movements during WW II. It also touches upon issues of overpopulation and pollution caused by tourism in Venice. The film explores the question arises: where does the original structure of the Nazi regime end, and what impact will the removal of the pavilion have on its surroundings?
Format: FULL HD, color
Length: 30 min
A Project by
Maria Eichhorn
German Pavilion
59th International Art Exhibition
La Biennale di Venezia
Production Country
Germany, Italy
Directed by
Sabrina Labis and Kristina Paustian
Producers, Photography, Editing
Sabrina Labis and Kristina Paustian
Narrator
Ruth Rosenfeld
Music
Ben Fawkes
The film was realized with the participation of
Dana Andrei
Marco Baravalle
Giulio Bobbo
Yilmaz Dziewior
Arno Löbbecke
Vittoria Martini
Anh-Linh Ngo
Leonie Radine
Luisella Romeo
Ruth Rosenfeld
Sound Design
Christian Obermaier
Colorist
Susi Dollnig
The German contribution to the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia is realized on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office and in cooperation with ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen.
Initial partner
With generous support