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John Bock
Marlit, 2003

This messy, exuberant sculpture by the Berlin-based artist Bock is the residue of a 2003 performance in Frankfurt, Germany, which is documented by the DVD embedded within the piece.

Though he was formally educated in economics and law, Bock eschews rationalism and creates a slapstick world that is obstinately strange. At the same time, however, his creations seem familiar, incorporating everyday materials such as shaving cream, clothing, furniture, household appliances, and bicycle parts.

He assembles these items into a theater set of sorts — in this case also a vehicle — for his performance, which here begins as a university lecture might, using the terminology of biology and economics but in a nonsensical, absurdist manner. The talk gradually becomes something akin to a vaudeville act, and the finale is a kind of anarchic, dadaist poetry jam session.

Artwork Info

Artwork title
Marlit
Artist name
John Bock
Date created
2003
Classification
sculpture
Medium
mixed media
Dimensions
86 5/8 in. × 141 3/4 in. × 49 3/16 in. (220 cm × 360 cm × 125 cm)
Date acquired
2005
Credit
Collection SFMOMA
Purchase through a gift of Chara Schreyer
Copyright
© John Bock
Permanent URL
https://www.sfmoma.org/artwork/2005.182.A-UU
Artwork status
Not on view at this time.

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