Maststall

by Stefan Demming in collaboration with Harko Wubs: 3 video installation as a double projection, 1 monitor, 1 screen 80x100cm, seating furniture; 4K / HD, stereo, 12.23“ (Loop), 2022

As part of a German-Dutch art project, Stefan Demming and Harko Wubs realized a video project as a kind of experimental setup with live pigs. This should enable to see the pig as an individual being. By inviting 5 pigs into a human living room and filming them we can clearly see them being alive. While the resulting short film „Pig Brother“ (9′, 2022) is conceived as a narrative and fictional and, based on the reality show, ironically suggests the rescue of one of the pigs by the viewer’s favor, the video installation „Pig Prother“ invites you to watch how the pigs act in the living room. The synchronized double projection shows the set and the actors in life size. The original painting of a landscape with fattening stables from the set hangs in the appropriate position on the wall. Visitors can take a seat on the living room furniture in the room and also view the pigs in close-up on a monitor, which were taken with various Go-Pro cameras during the shoot. The five pigs were among the few of the country’s 24 million pigs that were allowed to spend part of their short lives outdoors. In front of the cameras, their curiosity proves that they are intelligent animals.

Pig Brother

A video by Harko Wubs & Stefan Demming, 2022
9 min, 4K, col. stereo, german with english subtitles

From the deepest dungeons of society through the spotlights of the studio to every living room: Five chosen pigs from the bio-industry are allowed to lead a luxurious ‚human life‘ in the Pig Brother house. From here they are observed by the TV-watching public. They can vote for their favorite pig and it will be spared from slaughter. Will the pigs compete for man’s favor now that they are in the center of human attention?

Project intro/trailer (1′)

LUURN BI DE BUERN* / Updated Landscapes

(*“lurking on farmers“ in lowgerman (Platt))

LUURN BI DE BUERN (2013-2016, in collaboration with Daniela Schlüter ) is a project on contemporary agriculture. It featured exhibitions with artists, lectures, performances and concerts in situ on 8 farms . Have a look at the artistic production of Stefan Demming for „LUURN“ below!

Updated Landscapes is an ongoing series of different production techniques reflecting upon the changes of landscapes especially in regions with industrial agriculture.

PLANTAGE (PLANTATION)

PLANTATION (PLANTAGE) consists of a growing number of inflatable plants, the project’s background is industrial agriculture. It grows series of plasic fruit, readymades as well as custom made forms. It explores temporary sculptural forms in their growing and declining process. The ephemeral sculptures were occasionally presented with live music made with wind blowing instruments (which is in german „Blas-musik“ while the inflatables may be called „Auf-Blas-Skulpturen“).