"So wahr wie alles war war"

10.11. bis 30.12.2001, Eröffnung Freitag 9.11.2001, 20 Uhr, ACC Galerie.

With this first solo exhibition at ACC gallery Trebor Scholz addresses current nationalism and civil rights with video interviews, a web-based work and a slide projection.

A series of 50 projected images attempts a complicated understanding of the flood of US American flags that overcomes the United States. Personal pain, helpless nationalism, and the wide spread speechlessness make people grab the symbol, the stars and stripes.

During the French and American Revolution as newly invented national flagsthe tricolor and stars and stripes were synonymous with freedom and life. In this time of egalitarian ideals Stars and Stripes were associated with happiness and freshness. In the 19th century going along with an increasing industrialization this changed. Particularly vertical stripes stood as symbol of cleanliness and physical activity. Horizontal stripes became increasingly associated with prisoner’s clothing.

Fifty five edged stars on blue background and thirteen stripes, which stood for the original colonies- the US flag is a symbol for solidarity with the dead and is a collective expression of mourning. But the flag is also abused to activate threatening patriotism, which clears the way for profitable military actions. When Americans reach for their flags the world should get scared say Vietnam veterans. In this context it does not seem surprising that the pledge of allegiance is re-introduced in many American high schools. At the same time this patriotism leads unquestionably to
intolerance, xenophobia and rediscovered collective passions.

In the US the flag also functions as protection for Arab Americans and Muslims who have to protect themselves from attacks by fellow citizens. People in the street who ‘look Middle Eastern’ are spit at, fired from their jobs because of
their name or background. Some were refused medical treatment in hospitals.
About a thousand persons simply disappeared after September 11. The FBI held them in custody refusing them the right to call their families. In Germany and the Netherlands there were attacks on immigrants, Muslims and Arabs. An Islamic elementary school in Amsterdam was burned down.

In October 2001 Trebor Scholz asked Arab Americans in New York’s Arab Family Center about their current situation. These interviews and current interviews with people in Weimar, Germany about the war in Afghanistan are the beginning of
a series of interviews in different cities.

The current feelings of insecurity in the US and Germany are used by the state to substantially cut civil liberties. In Germany the introduction of passports containing biometric information and the listening into phone conversations by state organizations without reasonable suspicion are discussed. The web-based work "Look Closely" gives the visitor the opportunity to add their thoughts to an online archive. Here they can also join a discussion list.

http://www.thing.net/~sep11

A sticker on lamp post in Weimar says "It is war. Tell others." How can one escape the disinterest of a false peace? In a separate work in the exhibition at ACC trauma, hope and a shattered belief in security of Kosovo Albanians in
Pristina and Serbs in Belgrade are brought together. These video interviews document memories of barbaric repercussions of nationalism.
--
Radio Show:
November 21, 8-9 am Radio Lotte
thematic radio hour
--
--
Locations:

Public Forum
Bauhaus University, Weimar
Van de Velde Building 11/21/01, 7pm, room 005

Exhibition--
ACC Gallery, Burgplatz 1 +22, 99432 Weimar
Germany Tel.: 03643-851261