John Bock. Filme. Films

John Bock, the German sculptor and performance artist, born in 1965, is known for his spectacular, comically grotesque action art, which comments energetically on everything from aesthetics and politics to society and pseudo-science. His work has been compared to the post-war, post-Dada Theater of the Absurd of the 1940s, 50s and 60s--an avant garde movement that attempted to shock its audiences into facing life’s ultimate, bleak reality by creating independent meaning in the face of the apparent, inherent lack thereof. It only makes sense that Bock has increasingly turned towards film in recent years. This special edition artist’s book, with its exposed, sewn binding and enigmatic white cover, provides an overview of Bock’s first short videos alongside his longer narrative films, featuring real actors and sets. Collectively, the film work is considered both technically and aesthetically, from art historical and cinematographic perspectives. Film stills, set photography and texts illustrate the individual works.