Description Initial
meeting
Description REACT
Authors
Voices of the authors
Sponsors
Further voices |

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The art of new perspectives
A
Series of events by Horst Konietzny
Description of the REFRAMES project
REFRAMES is the motto and
the name of a series of events regarding the art of perception.
Everyday situations in public places, form the basis and
the focus of art projects in various areas. Literature, music,
performance and video art, produce an aesthetic new framing
of standard situations of everyday life.
Art is developed through coincidence and the friction caused by
artistic intervention. Art gives way to new perception of different
aspects of everyday life. The REFRAMES initiative focuses on the
creation of a continuously growing network of international partners,
in order to enable mutual inspiration of art and society within
an intercultural dialogue.
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Prelude meeting REACT
60,000 passers-by in search of a potential author
A literary
interaction between authors and coincidental figures of poetry.
A Horst Konietzny project.
The initial REACT meeting took place on the 18th of November
in Munich.
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Description of the REACT project
A random individual who crosses a targeted public area during
the timeframe of the above-mentioned project, may unexpectedly
become involved in literature. Passers-by of interest are stopped.
Authors
hidden within this area, proceed to describe couples and passers-by,
going about their daily life. Those idly strolling about can
suddenly find themselves being a literary figure. These texts,
whilst being written, are projected on to several displays.
Thereby, React returns to the old question of the interdependency
between personal experience and literature. How much of our personal
experience, influences our writing and vice versa?
After the successful
initial meeting in Munich, further React projects have been
planned in cities all over the world for 2004/2005.
NEW: In the
current project version, a personal, real-time interaction
with passers-by via SMS is intended.
Concept: Horst Konietzny
Copyright 2004
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Authors
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Doris Dörrie - Biography
Doris Dörrie was born in 1955 in Hannover. She studied drama and acting
in the USA and then proceeded to graduate from the University for Film and Television
in Munich. She is currently teaching at her German Alma Mater. |
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Ulrike Draesner - Biography
Ulrike Draesner was born in 1962 in Munich. After studying German, English and
Philosophy in Munich and Oxford, she worked as a teaching assistant at the
University of Munich for four years. She ended her academic career in 1993,
to have more time for writing. Since 1994, she has been working as a free-lance
author, translator, literature critic and publisher. She has been living in
Berlin since 1996. Ulrike Draesner has received numerous awards, her latest
being the “Hoelderlin Foerderpreis 2001” and the ‘Preis der
Literaturhäuser’ in 2002. She writes prose and poetry. Her work
overlaps within the areas of literature, imagery, and music. |
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Johann Kleemayr - Biography
Johann Kleemayr was born in Schwanenstadt/Austria in 1954. He studied Philosophy,
Theology and German in Salzburg and Paris. He is currently involved in writing
academically related work („Die geometrische Welt“, Pascals Wette“),
film scripts, plays, poetry (nomination for the Trakl-Förderungspreis),
prose („Das Moped“), poetry (book publications e.g. „Armer“,
1990, „Puchheim“ 1994), and sculptural work. |
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Franz Maria Sonner - Biography
Franz Maria Sonner was born in 1953 and lives in Munich. He writes radio-plays
and narration. "Kakapo. Ein Geburtstagsfest" and “Die Bibliothek
des Attentäters" were his latest works which were published by Kunstmann. |
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Thomas Meinecke - Biography
Thomas Meinecke was born in 1955 in Hamburg. He studied drama, modern German
literature and, communication in Munich. In 1978, he and his team founded the
satirical magazine "Mode & Verzweifeln", and in 1980, the band "F.S.K.".
Since 1985, Thomas Meinecke has hosted his own radio show on Bayern 2. In 1986,
his first book was published by Suhrkamp, a prose collection. In 1997, he was
awarded with the “Heimito von Doderer” grant and the “Rheingau”-
literary award. In 1998, he proceeded to win the "Kranich mit dem Stein” prize,
in addition to the German literary award in 2003. His latest novel, "Hellblau",
was also published by Suhrkamp. Thomas Meinecke works as writer, musician,
literature critic and radio show host. |
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Moritz Rinke -Biography
Moritz Rinke was born in 1967 in Worpswede and lives as a free-lance author
in Berlin. He studied drama in Gießen. In 1997, his second play, “Der
Mann, der noch keiner Frau Blöße entdeckte" won him the
PEN Club Lichtenstein literary award, in addition to his nomination for
the Muehlheimer prize of drama.
“Republic Vineta "was selected as the best
German play of the 2000/2001 season by “Theater heute”.
For the Nibelungen festival in Worms, he wrote a new narration
of the "Nibelungen”, which was presented for
the first time in 2002. In the film "September" by
Max Fäberböck, he made his debut as an actor.
His play "Optimisten", is currently being premiered
in Bochum. |
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Jo Randerson |
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Voices of the authors
It sounds ‘super clever’ that passers-by
enter a targeted area where realities becomes mixed. This is
something I don’t like at all. However, having imagined
it in reality, I found it intriguing: If a beautiful girl from
Munich suddenly enters the targeted area, it becomes futuristically
useful for my inspiration. I quickly write a poem about her on
the spur of the moment, in which realities blend together. She
not only becomes an actual part of the reading itself, but also
has her own private evening reading. I don’t know whether
this is classified as literature. At least it is an easier way
of gaining access to the world of the web-cam chat room.
If a
passer-by should notice that their activity is being integrated
into literature, they may be inclined to alter their behaviour.
They may begin to understand the idea that we, writers, are
in of need places, people and life in general to add substance
to our writing. As simplistic as it may seem, the mere action
of a woman passing with a Pretzel can have a dramatic impact
on life.
MORITZ RINKE
I sit and think, what shall I write? I sit and think, what
am I seeing? I sit and think, is it raining or snowing? I sit
and think of Konietzny. I check my watch. The thought of someone
tripping over a cable. Power failures have been a regular occurrence
of late. I am not merely connected to Munich on a mental level,
but rather, to the entire world. To Jo Randerson in New Zealand
for example. She resembles me. The whole world looks upon us
and at that what I am writing. Not only does every word matter,
but particularly the first. The first. The crucial word.
And then
everything is out in the open. I am discovered as a cheat.
No single word. First. Second. What is the purpose of these veiled
humans? Umbrellas. Caps. Hats. Scarves. Wrapped up. It is much
too warm for a white, snowy main square in Linz. Something
I had wished for. Is this red capped person a woman? What is
she doing in Australia with Jo Randerson? In the “Stifterhaus”-café I
will drink green Rosemary tea and ask for the video tape.
JOHANN
KLEEMAYR
An ideal Trampoline. Busy. Crossing over (the square). Immersed
with memories, but at the same time, memories from today. Jump
off. The energy of the impact comes from the Trampoline. I make
the jump. It is I who decides on its direction. It leads to pictures.
Called fiction or rendition – beautifully, unreal, real.
ULRIKE
DRAESNER
Kafka used small writing books. Small enough to fit into his
bag. In order to be able to jot down ideas and observations immediately.
Writing whilst walking. Integrating the direct physical impact
of the passers-by into his notes. A real-time integration of
his surrounding environment into his personal writing. Can it
work? I do not know. But we can try.
FRANZ MARIA SONNER
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Greeting words of the sponsors
We are delighted to be involved in the literary interaction
between authors and coincidental figures of their poetry. To
be in a position to enable writers to create something new from
a piece of reality by giving them their space.
People from all
over the world encounter each other. Also here on Marienplatz
in Munich. Various factors have an impact on the outcome of
an encounter. Do they speak the same language? Can they understand
each other despite their different cultural background? Do
they know about the behaviour that is expected from them? A lack
of understanding restrains communication. Information, thoughts
and feelings can only be communicated with difficulty.
Of course,
it can also lead to unexpectedly positive or even funny situations.
At times, we may still even think about them. As Ludwig Wittgenstein
once said: “the border of language
defines the borders of my world.”
Language and culture
are essential for communication. Whether for every day language
or language in literary texts . For more than 125 years millions
of people have surpassed their limits and broadened both
their horizons and perception of the world with Berlitz.
We are
sure that the REACT project will enrich people’s
lives through their interpretation of the authors’ language
and writing.
BERLITZ
Since 1983, Rischart's Backhaus in Munich has been sponsoring
art. It is clear that art taking place in the centre of Munich,
at Marienplatz, is of great interest to us. The REACT project
gives one, a way to discover new opportunities of approaching
and experiencing literature during its development. Through the
initiation of curiosity, we are encouraged to participate in
this literary interaction.
GERHARD MÜLLER-RISCHART
Dear friends of literature,
For more than 20 years, Swatch has
combined technology with creativity. The brand has always remained
flexible and followed the motto: "keeping an eye out for
market trends and implementing promising ideas". On this
basis, Swatch has for years succeeded in positively provoking
the market.
The literary project at Marienplatz also goes by the
motto of “observation and implementation”. Thus,
it was out of the question for Swatch not to participate in
the sponsoring of this project. We hope everybody involved
will enjoy this event as much as we have.
SWATCH
Having practised law for over 40 years at Marienplatz, we have
both welcomed and cursed many of the related distractions. We
warmly welcome REACT to the square! Indications of your birth,
literature, are already visible.
We are looking forward to the
future work of the authors and are already curious about the
books.
Glock Liphart Probst Attorneys
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Further voices
EP, helper at the StateStreet bank:
Hello Beate,
Reactions have been mixed. There were of course
many, who were not interested in accepting a flyer, on the basis
that they believed we wanted to sell something. Others directly
declined, claiming they were not from Munich. Some, did not react
at all. Avoided all eye contact. Others looked away, embarrassed
by the fact they had been confronted.
These reactions of course,
were not directly related to the project itself, but rather
a dismissal of the fact that somebody was bothering them
with a flyer. One even went so far as to accuse me of producing
litter. There was naturally also positive feedback. With
some people, I even became involved in discussions as to what
we were actually doing. They found the idea rather enticing but
lacked the time to fully participate in the project. Especially
touching, was an older gentleman who had received a flyer from
somebody else. He approached me, holding the hand of a small
boy – perhaps his grandchild, – handed me back
the flyer, smiling and letting me in on his secret: "you
know what? .........I’ve just realised that I am indescribable!".
The
action itself was touching. I like the idea that art is immersed
into everyday life. And through this, touches people who
would normally be unreachable. Unique to this project, is the
fact that literature is transferable. Despite my participation
in various other art projects, this was a first for me. The project
in its entirety was not only a successful experience for me
on a personal level, but was clearly a moving occurrence for
all passers-by involved.
Hopefully there will be more of it soon.
Greetings, Elke |
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