Hannes van Es "Performance"

16.03.1977
de Appel, Brouwersgracht 196, Amsterdam

Performance I
© Thijs Schouten, Amsterdam

Performance II
© Thijs Schouten, Amsterdam

Performance I
© Thijs Schouten, Amsterdam

In the exhibition space, a wooden plank is fastened to the wall across its whole breadth at a height of about three metres. A ladder leans against it on at the left hand end, and a white box, raised on a platform, stands in front of it on the right. Precisely in the middle of the plank, a second ladder is placed transversely and has another plank resting on it so that the planks form a recumbent letter T. The other end of the transverse plank rests on a platform on which there is a white table and chair. The artist stands on the plank on the wall, dressed in a pink suit, white boots and blue sunglasses. With his back turned to the audience and head bent, he sighs and sobs. After a while, he turns round to face the audience and walks to the white box. He takes something out of the box and shuffles along the transverse plank to the far end. Here, he kneels down at the table. He turns to an imaginary girl on the chair and opens his hands. They contain a brightly coloured paper flower. He places it on the table and waits expectantly for a reaction. The invisible girl does not respond, however. Disappointed, the artist shuffles back to the box and returns with an Easter egg. He then fetches a toy white rabbit with a ribbon. But none of his gifts are appreciated. In disappointment, he colours the left side of his face white with make-up, stares into a bottle of water which he holds in front of his chest and leans dejectedly against the wall. Once again, he walks to the box and brings back a letter for the girl. Addressing her, himself and nobody, he walks back to the opposite side and nuzzles the toy rabbit, saying ‘I have nothing left to say, I have nothing left to say...’. (Based on a text by Louwrien Wijers, archive De Appel / file van Es.)

Hannes Van Es – Performance

archive, 1977