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John Bock

John Bock chooses the form of lectures as artistic medium. He tries to transpose simple structures from life and artistic tasks into abstract formulae and absurd models. Psychological coping strategies for life are analyzed with mathematical methods and transferred into models of society.

In his lectures, Bock combines language, dramatic elements and sculptural objects. He acts on "stages" built from tables, cupboards or multi-level wood constructions. The objects are handmade or re-modeled accessories of the lecture, made out of clothing, electrical equipment such as hoovers and mixers, or "plastic diagrams" that illustrate his mathematical explanations. After the lecture, they are left on the stage which thus forms a "theatrical collage".

The lectures are structured by different scenes in which Bock sometimes works with (non-professional) actors; frequently he plays pop songs or classical pieces from a record player. The lecture is mostly recorded on video. The film is then integrated in the installation, documenting the lecture throughout the exhibition.

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Born 1965 in Gribbohm
Lives and works in Berlin


SOLO SHOWS (SELECTED):

2004
+ "John Bock", Fondazione Nicola Trussardi, Milano, I
+ "Klütterkammer", ICA, London, GB
+ "MultiplexKomplex Petit-four transmits the BeWorldMigraineSolution through the metallic NoseAirPeriscope + Gast", Klosterfelde, Berlin, D
+ "Klynken i knæk", Arken, Museum für Moderne Kunst, DK

2003
+ Schwarzsauer Knilch", Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, NL
+ "MultiplexKomplex Petit-four transmits the Be WorldMigraineSolution through the metallic NoseAirHairPeriscope", CCA Kitakyushu, JP
+ "Zero Hero", theater play, performed at the Haus der Kunst, München, D

2002
+ Museum Abteiberg Mönchengladbach, D

2001
+ "Im AtomeiterzinsKonflikt mit einer EierstockCapitalSaint", Magasin 3, Stockholm Konstholl, S

2000
+ "Four Lectures", MoMA, New York, USA


GROUP SHOWS (SELECTED):

2005
+ Biennale di Venezia, Venice, I
+ Biennale de Lyon, Lyon, F (upcoming)
+ "Dionysiac", Centre Pompidou, Paris, F

2004
+ The Carnegie International, Pittsburgh, USA
+ Manifesta 5, Donostia / San Sebastian, ES

2003
+ OUTLOOK!, Athens , GR
+ "Grotesk", Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, D
+ Utopia Station, Biennale di Venezia, I
+ "Spectacular", Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, D

2002
+ Documenta 11, Kassel, D

2001
+ "A Little Bit of History Repeated", Kunst-Werke Berlin, D
+ Yokohama Triennale, Japan

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