Assisted exercises by Volkmar Klien (A)

The Rezeptionshaltungen are a series of three short, audiovisual as well as haptic performances. Each recipient – assisted individually by the artist – takes three defined positions (Rezeptionshaltungen) on dedicated apparatuses.

It is generally desirable that the artist – recipient relationship is a truly close one. Inscribed in it though there remain certain asymmetries and power structures. It is the artist, who directs, while the recipient takes it all in, i.e. receives. Music is a rather bodily affair, which is why Rezeptionshaltungen’s devices are ergonomically formed for increased reception comfort. With the help of structure-borne audio drivers and custom built coupling fixtures sound is directly and physically conducted into the recipient’s body.

Two focused exercises (Haltung [position, stance] & Ent-Haltung [abstinence]) lead to Koppelung / Resonanz [coupling / resonance], a performative act turning the recipient’s head, fixated into an apparatus, itself into its concert hall.

Supported by wein kultur