Just a Simple Algorithm

Sixteen stones divided into four groups of four are placed on a table. One stone is being picked up from the upper-left side of the upper-left group. The stone is put in a mouth. The mouth is sucking the stone. A stone from the upper-left side of the lower-left group is being picked up and put in the place where the first stone was. A stone from the upper-left side of the lower-right group is being picked up and put in the place where the second picked-up stone had been. A stone from the upper-left side of the upper-right group is being picked up and put in place of the third picked-up stone. The first stone is taken out of the mouth and put on the upper-left side of the upper-right group.

 

The algorithm has been chosen. The mind will be disciplined. The order will be kept.

 

Just a Simple Algorithm is inspired by Samuel Beckett’s novel Molloy. Following Molloy, who searched for a systematic way of sucking the stones at the same order repeatedly while they were divided into four groups of four in each of his pockets, I wanted to continue the algorithm I found so as to maintain the order while putting each stone in my mouth, and moving the other stones from one group to another without losing track of the order.

 

This work is an examination of our psychological need for order and the ability to self-discipline one’s mind; is it possible to follow what seems to be a simple algorithm? How much can one control herself?

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The viewers were invited to document the performance by writing a performance protocol.

 

 

Duration: 3 Hours

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2019  Reflektor Neukölln Gallery, Berlin

2016  ProjektZentrum Berlin der Stiftung Mercator, Berlin

2015  Universitätsbibliothek | Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

      Former Prison [Ehemalige Justizvollzugsanstalt], Weimar