Sarah Hablützel & Marko Mijatovic

19 February – 16 April 2023

The short movie Playing Circles, Hidden Trains is the title of both the current exhibition at the Kunsthalle Winterthur and the 20-minute video work produced for this occasion by artist duo Sarah Hablützel (b.1986, Winterthur) and Marko Mijatovic (b. 1987, Vares, Bosnia Herzegowina).
The artists have worked for the first time with a script, incorporating situational acting methods with the performers into their approach during film rehearsals. Apart from Wanda Wylowa, all actors were cast from befriended amateur actors of the Junges Theater Winterthur. The sound design is a cooperation with the musician Julian Rüthi, including a heavy metal re-interpretation of the song Alle Kinder dieser Welt (1989) by the German Schlager singer Rex Gildo.
The main protagonist is a young man called CHAD, who is trying to uncover the root of his fears. Under the guidance of a therapist, and together with two other youths, LESS and RIVER, they set up a “psychodrama constellation” to enable CHAD's memories and feelings to emerge. Their place of choice is an Asian restaurant, where karaoke evenings were once held. Another youth, SKY, who seeks refuge in the restaurant, happens to meet the group, becoming an active participant and attentive witness to the event. At first the session proceeds as planned, yet gradually the therapist appears to become more and more emotionally involved, breaking down the code of professionalism critical to her job. The “safe space”, which must be secured and guaranteed in a therapeutic situation by the therapist, eventually becomes fragile and in danger of being abused by the therapist's own needs.
In the small hall of the Kunsthalle, a carpeted area with anti-aggression bats, similar to the ones used in child therapeutic practices, invites visitors to interact. Four textile works are displayed which address the theme of adultism and power dynamics in asymmetrical relationships. The template for these large format embroideries are traditional Bosnian tapestry works depicting gender stereotypical roles in a domestic context. Sarah Hablützel and Marko Mijatovic have modified the illustrated figures and have replaced the traditional aphorisms. Bosnian embroiderers then translated these new variations back into their original weavings.

Joëlle Menzi