In FREEDOM, Franz Wassermann addresses the myth of the struggle for freedom using the example of Tyrolean history. The artist locates a two-piece installation in the public space of Innsbruck at the foreyard of Church St. Jakob. The first part of the installation consists of a vast number of wooden crosses which are gathered in the park in front of the church to give the impression of a burial site. On these crosses three slogans are presented in seven different languages: “My body does not belong to me.”, “My body is a weapon.” and “My body is the battlefield.”. The second part of the installation consists of a number of flags that are displayed at the frontages of the several foreyard buildings. The flags show the portrait of a man wearing a pin-striped suit. His eyes are covered by a white bar in which the three slogans are repeated. Following this presentation in public space, FREEDOM has been shown in several exhibitions.
photos: Hannes Schlosser, Franz Wassermann
Installation Church St. Jakob Innsbruck
EXISTENCE, widmertheodoridis, 2012,Exhibition
“People in between the poles of politics and religion have always been subject to struggles for power. By accumulating their symbols – cross, flag, portrait and language – Franz Wassermann raises the myth to the surface and keeps it visible and addressable.” Werner Widmer und Jordanis Theodoridis