Peter Weibel

The living room as a world problem / The world as a problem of the living room

The photo shows a section of the exhibition »respektive Peter Weibel«, which shows the life's work of the artist and driving force of Viennese Actionism, Peter Weibel.
Artists
Peter Weibel
Title
The living room as a world problem / The world as a problem of the living room
Medium / Material / Technic
wrought iron flower stand, 7 inscribed ceramic ashtrays, cactus, plate with chalk inscription, 7 inscribed plastic balls
Size / Duration
dimensions variable

In this installation, the furnishings of a Western, middle-class living room find themselves confronted with shocking realities. Conventional objects can be seen such as a wrought iron flower-stand, which instead of plants holds ashtrays with the inscription »PRO/MINUTE/WERDEN/2 MIO.$/FÜR/RÜSTUNG/AUSGEGEBEN« [every minute two million dollars are spent on armaments]. Colored plastic balls are inscribed with the words »PRO/MINUTE/STERBEN/30/KINDER/AN/HUNGER« [every minute thirty kids die of hunger]. On a board a message in white chalk says: »WELTWEIT« [worldwide]. Through the metaphor of the living room, Peter Weibel, as a political artist, links these repressed realities with a critique of middle class lifestyle. How do we come to terms with the world we live in? Isn’t the world the living room of all of us?