Fritz Welch (USA) with his performance “humansacrifice – the Science Fiction Residue” in Argument Vertoningsruimte, Tilburg. His performance and exhibition in Argument was part of the Incubate Festival of september 2009.
I had the opportunity to ask Fritz some questions about the performance and his work.
(Martijn) As the film would be part of the article and is probably the most direct way for people to learn what you do (apart from attending your performances live), my main question would be: what would you like to add to the movie? What would you like to clear or emphasize about you and your work after seeing the film? Does it portrait you well or are there things not shown you’d like to mention?
(Fritz) This humansacrifice performance was initially intended to happen in a typical rock club but due to random circumstances it was able to happen within my own installation at Argument Gallery. I also performed a 2 hour ‘prelude’ in which i made sound with gongs and voice. Perhaps its important to describe the gallery installation:
“humble the stiff” was a great arching drip and an abysmal wasteland made of redacted rock posters, walldrawings and a mass of empty beer cans. The gallery was a non-studio concert hall simulation of a factory stuck in my brain. Simple sculptural growths were fused to preexisting architectural elements, significantly altering the interior environment.
(Martijn) In your performance you reminded me of a shaman. Maybe an indian that dances around a fire calling spirits. How spiritual are you in your work?
(Fritz) It’s interesting that this performance can be viewed as ‘shamanic’. I certainly welcome all interpretations but most definitely have no intension of presenting a spiritual experience. Here is how i presented it in the press release: “on the final day of activities at the gallery the ringing in my ears will unfold into a series of un-political speeches intended to warp straight lines and render the week’s vision unfocused. humansacrifice is split channel stereo splatter reduced to utterances unseen and hovering….”
(Martijn) For you, what is the relation between science fiction and futuristic elements (your glasses are incredible) and the use of traditional (non-futuristic) instuments like a gong and drumsticks?
(Fritz) ’the science fiction residue’ is the title of a text piece i recorded recently:
in the sonic utilize anarchic mutation work
drink drink
parasitic
drink drink
glowing myself The Passenger stethascope voiceprint viable material residues
This allows utopian persistance of vision done left handed
Social transformation t-shirt an unpile of empty letters named so-and-so
parasitic parasitic paralyzer and visual realms. a practice equally divided sound to explore themes
sound to explore
sound to explore
sound to explore if we will not win win win will not residues utilize.
its hidden in the second room persistance.
but has its roots in religion and culinary traditions gamble over the style locker.
also i’m interested in the science fiction residue.
Of course i read science fiction sometimes but in this case i was considering the motto of early LSD researchers “using the methods of science and the style of science fiction”.
(Martijn) Is there a difference between Europe and America when it comes to art, exposure and possibilities?
(Fritz) Yes i suppose there are differences everywhere but obviously the world is shrinking and becoming more generic. In fact sometimes it seems like the human brain is shrinking too. But perhaps the possibilities are limitless in an imploding universe….
(Martijn) Did you enjoy your tour in Europe? I’d like to know about your experiences, or maybe an anecdote that happened?
(Fritz) I live in Glasgow and make exhibitions and play gigs & tour in Europe quite often. I’m interested in making work in many different types of environments beyond typical galleries, kunsthalles or concert halls. I recently made an installation in a cemetery in Mexico City. The art was very upbeat and happy within a completely dismal environment. I set up pink and yellow plastic sculptures in patterns between the gravestones. One night i organized a party with live music played by an Inuit noise band in exile called Dusted Elbow. Very fun stuff indeed!!!
Website Fritz Welch: www.humansacrifice.net
Film: Martijn de Boer
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