THOMAS HIRSCHHORN –
GRAMSCI MONUMENT
GRAMSCI MONUMENT
A documentary by Angelo A. Lüdin, 94 min., Switzerland 2015
Trailer
In the summer of 2013, the Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn realized the Gramsci Monument at Forest Houses, a housing development in the Bronx. The monument to the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci is the fourth and final work in his series of «monuments» dedicated to major writers and thinkers, which initiated in 1999 with Spinoza Monument (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and was followed by Deleuze Monument (Avignon, France) in 2000 and Bataille Monument (Kassel, Germany) in 2002. At Forest Houses, local residents built the structure with the artist and worked at the café-bar and managed the archive and the library that were part of the project. They also edited a newspaper, organized field trips and operated a radio station.
In the summer of 2013, the Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn realized the Gramsci Monument at Forest Houses, a housing development in the Bronx. The monument to the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci is the fourth and final work in his series of «monuments» dedicated to major writers and thinkers, which initiated in 1999 with Spinoza Monument (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and was followed by Deleuze Monument (Avignon, France) in 2000 and Bataille Monument (Kassel, Germany) in 2002. At Forest Houses, local residents built the structure with the artist and worked at the café-bar and managed the archive and the library that were part of the project. They also edited a newspaper, organized field trips and operated a radio station.
Angelo Lüdin’s documentary follows Thomas Hirschhorn and the residents of Forest Houses through the various stages of this exciting adventure. The film shows what happens at the site, but it also delves into the stories and lives of the residents, tracing the different realities, life concepts and cultural identities. In addition, the director observes if and how working at or visiting the monument is changing people’s perception of art, the community and themselves.
The Gramsci Monument is part of a series of works that Hirschhorn realized in economically tenuous urban districts. Thus, people who usually might not visit museums and galleries get involved in art and philosophy. At the same time, the art elite is confronted with an environment that they may only know from hearsay. This constellation prompts surprising encounters and bears the potential for manifold conflicts.
By spending weeks or even months at the sites, Thomas Hirschhorn shows an uncompromising commitment to these works, exposing himself to the reactions of the neighbors and the wider public. He gets involved in discussions and debates, organizes lectures or stages plays. Hirschhorn’s work is polarizing. In the past, his art sometimes caused heated disputes: In 2004, his Paris show «Swiss-Swiss Democracy» even led to an upheaval in the Swiss Parliament.
«Thomas Hirschhorn – Gramsci Monument» is an unusual look at the work of a well-known and important contemporary artist.
Thomas Hirschhorn's «Gramsci Monument» was commissioned by the DIA Art Foundation, New York.
World Sales: Windrose, Pauline Mazenod, pmazenod@windrose.fr
With
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Thomas Hirschhorn, Erik Farmer, Clyde Thompson,
Reginald Boone, Robert Mack, Quasim Sweets, Walter Bryan, Ernest Thomas,
Derrick Martin, Vincent Conyers, Bobby Wainwright, Stanley Scott, Khorey Brown,
Chrystopher Rome, Tyrone Grant, Dwayne Ellis, Janet Bethea, Dannion Jordan,
Abayomi Ravenell, Masai Neal, Joyce Majette, Victor Riquero, Christopher Roberts, Dennis Torres, Ernest Thomas and many more.
Crew
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Writer, Director:
Angelo A. Lüdin
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Producer:
Frank Matter, soap factory GmbH
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in co-production with
Schweizer Fernsehen SRF und SRG SSR -
Director of Photography:
Pio Corradi -
Location Sound:
Olivier JeanRichard -
Editing:
Mirjam Krakenberger -
Composer:
Fidelio Lippuner -
Additional Camera:
Reinhard Manz, Angelo A. Lüdin,
Leland Krane -
Additional Sound Recordings:
Nicola Bellucci, Eric Perez -
Location Managers:
Frank Matter, Mary Bosakowski -
Production Office:
Loredana-Nastassja Fernández -
Production Assistant:
Tuula Lou Kimberley Rasmussen -
Sound Editing, Sound Design, Mixing:
Peter von Siebenthal
Projektstudio GmbH, Bern -
Sound Coordination, Technical Advisor:
Pedro Haldemann
himex:sounddesign, Solothurn -
Video Studio, Visual Effects, Color Grading:
Ueli Müller, Peter Guyer, RecTv -
Titles, Graphic Design:
Dirk Koy, Equipo Visuelle Kommunikation -
SRF/Pacte:
Urs Augstburger
Sternstunde Kunst: Denise Chervet
National Coordinator: Sven Wä:lti
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Video Equipment:
point de vue, Basel -
Sound Equipment:
Insert Film, Solothurn -
Project Accountant:
Marcel Pfeiffer -
Translations, Subtitles:
Manuela Vonwiler, ZAXAPH