Past Petrol Present

Agnes Tatzber

2022

The installation developed in sync with the research explores the idea of performance in the legacy of recreational spaces of oil-producing settlements. A set-construction like, ripped out part of a competition swimming pool merges with drawings referring to the site and a performance which introduces the body into this equation. Through the ritualistic coating of the white smooth surfaces with black oil, the drawings, mapping a long-lasting dependency on the oil industry, are made visible. The calibrated balance between seen and unseen invites an audience to participate in the reading of the work. Competition in the pool as a part of the general entertainment of the workforce was an important aspect of the oil industry that confronts a much broader perspective on the impact and influence of oil, including the lure and molding of bodies.

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