 Hermann Nitsch in America
from ScribeMedia.Org
May 16, 2008
Hermann Nitsch speaks to Aaron Levy of the Slought Foundation about the reception of his work in America, in relation to its intensity and immediacy.Introductory notes by Jean-Michel Rabat and Osvaldo Romberg of the Slought Foundation, as well as Andreas Stadler of the Austrian Cultural Forum.This program has been organized in collaboration with Slought Foundation, Philadelphia, and the release of "Blood Orgies: Hermann Nitsch in America," their new publication exploring the work of the legendary Viennese Actionist. The publication features critical essays on the relation of Nitsch's work to recent developments in performance art, art history, and cultural theory, alongside photo documentation and a video of his ritualistic performances since 1962. The publication is edited and introduced by Aaron Levy and students in the RBSL Bergman Foundation Curatorial Seminar in the Department of the History of Art at the University of Pennsylvania; contributors to the volume include Adrian Daub, Lorand Hegyi, Susan Jarosi, Jean-Michel Rabat , Mich le H. Richman, Osvaldo Romberg, and Dieter Ronte. The book will be distributed internationally by Microcinema International (415-447-9750 or www.microcinemadvd.com)Hermann Nitsch (born 1938) is an Austrian performance artist and a forerunner of Wiener Aktionismus (Viennese Actionism, or Performance art). Nitsch is known for his ritualistic performance actions, often combining fake crucifixion with the disemboweling of lambs and other animals. In the late 50s Hermann Nitsch developed the concept of the "Orgien Mysterien Theater" (Theatre of Orgies and Mysteries) a total work of art appealing to all senses, celebratory and life-affirming. Drawing on religion, philosophy and psychology, he has composed numerous theoretical writings, compositions and scores to accompany over 100 realized action performances between the years of 1962 and 1998. In 1998, Nitsch staged his 100th performance (named the 6-Day Play after its length) which took place at Schloss Prinzendorf, his castle in Austria.
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