Reframing Conventions for INTERBELLUM #1 (2013/2020)

Reframing Conventions for INTERBELLUM #1
Live-performance + video work + 8-hour live stream video
Duration performance: 8 hours
Duration video work: 20:12 minutes
(video work by Rob Schröder and Gabrielle Provaas)
2020

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Before the pandemic, the focus of society’s debate was on the 8-hour workdays in the Netherlands and the act of sitting, which was proven to cause a 40% increasement of premature death. The aim of the performance was to research the convention of sitting as a part of INTERVENING SPACE.

Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has given the research into the act of sitting a new layer of meaning, reshaping our understanding of collective spaces and changing the way we physically approach to them. This new performance stems from the same aim, with a slightly different focus: to highlight how spaces and settings worldwide got alienated from their function, and how we physically adapt to this schism.

In this new live performance the artist solely sits for eight hours on the same chair which has been used since 2013, without practicing any other human action. ‘De Stelling van Amsterdam’ as a location offers an interesting decor as it was officially build as a part of Amsterdam its defense mechanism for war, but has never served its original purpose. The weirdly idyllic landscape serves as an interesting setting for the work, its natural inhabitants unbothered by her presence.

artist lisette ros during her 8 hour sitting performance in nature

About INTERBELLUM – Lisette Ros, Gabriel Rolt:
The word ‘Interbellum’ commonly refers to the period Between the Wars. It defines a period in-between. When alienation finds its way throughout all layers of existence, and at the same time the opportunity rises to redefine conventions. As the COVID-19 pandemic results in a political and economic crisis, the INTERBELLUM project is framing and continuously questioning the function of art and behavior in this specific period. INTERBELLUM covers 5 chapters: 5 performances on 5 different locations, that all represent a different approach on this period in-between.

Performance artist Lisette Ros during het live performance of Reframing Conventions for Interbellum 1, Stelling van Amsterdam

artist lisette ros during her 8 hour sitting performance with sheep by rob schroder

Still shot during live performance at Stelling van Amsterdam, performance artist Lisette Ros

VIDEO: The streaming launch of this performance was part of New Viewings at Barbara Thumm Galerie / ‘DEFENDER’ exhibition curated by Gabriel Rolt.

performance van lisette ros in de Noord-Hollandse krant