Aktion 58

Mar 30, 1978
Field:

Media Artwork, Performance

 Location:

Gallery, Western Front

Description:

On the occasion of Herman Nitsch’s solo exhibition Documents from the Theatre of the Actual, Image Bank produced a single-channel video that documents the gallery installation, as well as one of Nitsch’s Aktion performances. 

In Aktion 58, Nitsch simulates the mutilation of Keith Donovan using animal carcasses, entrails, and blood. The ritual is carried out on Donovan’s nude body on a plastic sheet in the gallery with assistance from Richard Hambleton, Michael O’Connell, Sid Morosoff, and Peter Schyuff. 

The video features voice-over narration by Michael Morris and sound by David Brawn. 

Video documentation is available upon request.
 

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Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.

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