Wittgenstein on Vacation: Preliminary model of the Wittgenstein Monument, (2018)

The artist collective Wittgenstein on Vacation is taking part of the exhibition Machines à Penser at Fondazione Prada in Venice (Italy) with a piece called Preliminary model of the
Wittgenstein Monument, (2018). It’s a sculpture that shows a hand that ends in an open mouth that speaks and whistles. The real monument will be 7m long and made in pine. It will be revealed next to Wittgenstein’s hut on the 25th August 2018 in Skjolden, Norway.

The artist collective Wittgenstein on Vacation consists of Marianne Bredesen, Siri Hjorth, and Sebastian Makonnen Kjølaas. We had the chance to speak with the artists on the occasion of the press preview of the group show at Fondazione Prada. In this video, the talk about the artwork and the idea behind it.

The whistling soundtrack is made of two compositions: The first is a neoclassical style Norwegian composition by Harald Sæverud, which he composed in 1943 while he was walking in the mountains just by Ludwig Wittgenstein’s hut. Its called Kjempeviseslåtten or Ballad of Revolt. The second composition was transcribed for the left hand by Ludwig Wittgenstein’s one armed pianist brother Paul Wittgenstein (Bach-Brahms-Wittgenstein: Chaconne from the Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor).

Interview with Marianne Bredesen, Siri Hjorth, and Sebastian Makonnen Kjølaas (Wittgenstein on Vacation). Machines à penser: Group Exhibition at Fondazione Prada, Venice. Venice (Italy), May 23, 2018.

The group exhibition “Machines à penser” at Fondazione Prada in Venice (Italy) explores the correlation between conditions of exile, escape and retreat and physical or mental places which favor reflection, thought and intellectual production. Curated by Dieter Roelstraete, “Machines à penser” focuses on three major philosophers of the 20th century: Theodor W. Adorno (1903-1969), Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) and Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951). The exhibition runs until November 25, 2018.

> Right-click (Mac: ctrl-click) this link to download Quicktime video file.

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