ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS

ongoing project © 2001

Concept | Catalog | Fluchtpunkt (arge-Schubhaft) I Hubert Salden | Klaus Zerinschek

ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS is a project with four phases that addresses the criminalization of asylum seekers and refugees.

In phase 1, the artist visits people who are kept in administrative detention and swaps some of his clothes with them. These clothes are complemented by the respective reasons for escape from the home country and are rephrased by the artist as reasons for detention, e.g. “I am in administrative detention because I am Christian.” and “I am in administrative detention because I was tortured and raped.”

In phase 2, these reasons for detention are combined with collages made from TV-imagery and advertisement slogans. In the following, these combinations are presented on posters in the public space of Innsbruck to open a demonstration against the criminalization of asylum seekers and refugees.

In phase 3, the artist occupies the inner courtyard of the gallery Taxispalais that is situated right next to the Tyrolean statehouse. During the 24-hours occupation, Wassermann plays audio files on which asylum seekers and refugees tell their stories. Thereby, the officials who pass and enforce laws across the courtyard listen.

In phase 4, Franz Wassermann transforms a camping van into a mobile church by consecrating it. In the following, he drives refugees from Italy to Germany.

In cooperation with: ARGE Schubhaft Innsbruck (now: Fluchtpunkt).

photos: Michaela Dreier, Heidrun Sandbichler, Alexander Halbwirth, Franz Wassermann