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‘How can nudity be so provocative?’ Florentina Holzinger on rocking Venice with naked jetskiers, human bells and urine divers
The artist’s Austrian Pavilion, which features a performer ringing a bell with her body and another immersed in the audience’s own urine, is the talk of the biennale. Why is she so surprised by people’s reaction?
TL;DR
- Florentina Holzinger's "Seaworld Venice" is a performance art installation at the Venice Biennale.
- The exhibition features naked performers, jetski stunts, contortion acts, and a human bell ringing ceremony.
- Holzinger's work challenges perceptions of nudity and bodily functions, using provocative themes to spark conversation.
- The installation includes a functioning toilet system that filters and displays audience urine, linking art to sustainability and waste.
- Performers have backgrounds in circus, stunt work, and body-piercing, with some undergoing literal inscriptions on their bodies for performances.
- Holzinger aims to address substantial existential questions while incorporating comedy and a sense of hope.
- The Austrian pavilion was chosen to address the issue of public urination at the biennale site, aiming to provide a clean and functioning toilet.
- Holzinger questions why real-life nudity is deemed provocative when reclining nude depictions are common in art history.