The site-specific work h a l t e s t e l l e aimed to offer specific “viewpoints” of an urban environment. Through an object made of paper and textile which incorporated elements from a modern building, a tent or a booth, the artists created a sort of “island of encounter”. By developing a field meditation (based on the observations and historical facts of the selected site), the performance artist and spectator shared the same perspective – they did not only sit next to each other, but they also tried to find the crossover “from stopping place to empty space”. Here is one example of a field meditation developed for the “Museumsplein” in Amsterdam:

Take a seat and put your feet parallel on the floor Relax your shoulders and bring the chin slightly down Close your eyes and focus on the breath Inhale deeply and exhale Try to be present and awake You are located at the Museumplein, where the eighth World Exposition took place in 1883. Thousands of workmen came from all over the country mostly by foot to become acquainted with the wonders of the unknown. At this time Vincent Van Gogh decided to become a painter. PAUSE Imagine you are walking in a wheat field under thunderclouds like in one of his paintings. He would say to you: always continue walking a lot and loving nature for that’s the real way of understanding art… Nature teaches us to see W A I T Below your feet is on the underground path between the two buildings of the Van Gogh Museum. Imagine you are walking in the direction to a painting, which is hanging at the end of the path. You can see some farmers working on a red field close to a river under a glittering sun… Suddenly one of the farmers steps out of the painting and guides your feet away….Where are you?  WAIT Now you can open your eyes. On your right side is a window. If you like, you can open it… There are some workmen preparing the inauguration of the new king… They continue walking a lot and loving nature for that’s the real way of understanding the field…

Event Dates: 16.05, 23.05 & 30.05.2012, Month of Performance Art Berlin, 25.04. & 26.04.2013, FLAM Performance Art Festival, Amsterdam, NL; 12.07 & 13.07.2014, Festival Stadt Für eine Nacht, Schiffbauergasse, Potsdam, GE

Credits: Concept and Performance: Nathalie S. Fari / Object and costume: Michaela Muchina / Photos: