Douglas Gordon

German Premiere

opening hours: 5.8. - 23.8. from 17:00, saturdays from 15:00 closed on 9.8., 10.8., 17.8., 18.8. and during shows in k6

THE END OF CIVILISATION is an equally impressive as disturbing video installation by Douglas Gordon, one of the world‘s most known and influential visual artists. In his works he touches upon issues of collective memory and perception, and often draws attention to the dark sides of human existence. In addition to the world premiere of his stage work BOUND TO HURT Gordon presents THE END OF CIVILISATION throughout the festival. In this video installation a grand piano burns at a lushly green and desolate locale overlooking the boundary between England and Scotland, which once was the border of the Roman Empire. The grand piano, emblematic of European high culture, is destroyed at the primeval edge of civilisation – while a second screen shows the tranquil surrounding landscape, occasionally blurred by wisps of smoke. In his disturbingly engaging work, Gordon refers to local tradition of igniting beacons as well as to the journey of the 2012 Olympic torch – with the fire being a symbol of optimism and hope, but also of danger and destruction.