Revoking the gift (outLINE)
Photo Thomas Lenden<br> Photo Thomas Lenden
Revoking the gift (outLINE)

Dirk Jan Jager and Simon Ferdinando have developed a concept in which the artist is performing inside the building, while light and sound produced can be experienced outside.
Inside cold and heavy metal is transformed into light, by welding machines.
In this light the artist strives to make analogue photographs of himself.

It is hell, as a consequence of the intense UV-radiation, extreme temperatures and toxic fumes. The public is seated on a purpose-built stand.
As darkness begins to fall the building looks totally closed, windows blinded with gold foil.
Then, with the flash of the welding arc, the interior scene is revealed.
A luminescent, naked man, as depicted by Blake and Tiepolo presents himself.
The intense flare creates a shadow play and a physical experience of light.

The male body is central in this project. Situations of embodiment are shown.
Naked welding is the core of this occasion, the act isolated, producing nothing material, creating extreme light to reveal the image like live cinema. This light is used to create living window silhouettes, like wajang effects of darkness and light.
Revoking The Gift sets old traditions of shadow play in a new light with live gamelan music setting the scene.

Performance: Dirk Jan Jager and Simon Ferdinando
Gamelan: Clara de Mik
Welders: Pascale Pieksma and Rob Visser
Sound recording: Tim Vleugel, Bart van den Heuvel and Paul Glazier
Photography: Gert-Jan van Rooij and Thomas Lenden
Film editing: Peter Franken
Best boy: Robert van Luijk

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Photo Thomas Lenden<br> Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Gert-Jan van Rooij Photo Gert-Jan van Rooij
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Gert-Jan van Rooij Photo Gert-Jan van Rooij
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Thomas Lenden Photo Thomas Lenden
Photo Gert-Jan van Rooij Photo Gert-Jan van Rooij