Paßstücke mit Box und Video

Franz West’s “Passstücke,” date back to the beginning of his sculptural activity and form the basis of  the subsequent work by the Austrian artist. In the work “Passstücke mit Box und Video” the museum visitors are invited to physically interact with the four objects made of plaster. The “(self-)exploration” can also be carried out in a booth behind a closed curtain. Inspiration is provided by the video showing examples for their use. The visitor’s own perception is stimulated by testing the limits of the body with the prosthetic extensions. The focus here is not the idea of physical optimization, but rather the attempt to give form to psychological states. It is no coincidence that West described his “Passstücke” as neuroses turned into form. His sculptures bring the viewer’s own experience into focus—without prescribing a specific goal.

Imagine—but please only imagine—you could take these objects in your hand and play with them. What would you do? Clamp them under your arm, hold them in front of your face or swing them through the air? This is exactly what Franz West originally created the series of “Paßstücke”, or “adaptives” for. He wanted people not to just look at them reverently, but to “handle” them, to be tempted to make funny movements, to bend and contort themselves. In any case, to behave differently than you normally do in a museum. The visitors should feel good about it. Indeed, we can learn something about ourselves during such an exercise: What are the limits of our body and are we able to make fools of ourselves? Maybe this will work in your imagination too!

The sculptures are made of cheap material—plaster and gauze—like the strong bandages used for broken limbs. And they look just as shapeless and imperfect. Franz West did not want a work of art to always be perfect and beautiful! He was more concerned with the chains of thought behind it, which open up in the mind of a museum visitor... What are your thoughts on this?