Romeo Castellucci
The Third Reich
by Romeo Castellucci
Sounds by Scott Gibbons
Choreography by Gloria Dorliguzzo
Interpretation Gloria Dorliguzzo
This video-installation is based on a spectral representation of all names. All the nouns found in the Italian dictionary (and then translated in other languages) are projected, in a sequence, one by one, onto a giant screen. These nouns potentially represent all objects in reality that have a name. The speed of this sequence is given by our ability, based on our retina and our memory, to retain a word that appears in a flash, lasting one twentieth of a second. This constricts our gaze, which soon reaches a tipping point where a fusion occurs, just before our perception loses its grip. In the resulting flicker, it is no longer possible to distinguish the single terms. In the borderline situation created by this frenetic series of words, some of them will leave a trace on each spectator’s visual cortex, while others, the majority, will be lost. The spectator, defenceless when treated in this way, is subjected to the human word, as a matter of quantity. Not what, but how much. This furious bundle of nouns leaves no room for choice nor discernment. The nucleus of language returns to white noise, which leads to chaos.
The Third Reich is the image of an imposed, obligatory communication, whose violence is
matched by its claim to equality. Here, a language-machine depletes entire spheres of reality, as the nouns are all the same, mechanically mass-produced, like prefabricated buildings in a knowledge that leaves no room to escape.
All pauses are abolished, occupied. The pause, or the absence of words, becomes a battlefield for the words and their military aggression; the nouns from the dictionary, projected on the screen, are flags planted in a conquered land.
The projection will be preceded by a symbolic action in which a performer brings to life a
ceremony in which language is “ignited”. The sound that accompanies the installation, composed by Scott Gibbons, will be apodictic.
Video making Luca Mattei in collaboration with Giulia Colla
IT consultancy Alessandro Colla
Production Direction Benedetta Briglia
Promotion and Distribution Gilda Biasini
Production and Tour Caterina Soranzo
Technical direction Rocìo España
Production Societas
Duration: approximately 50 minutes.
The installation features high-volume audio and high-frequency images that are not recommended for people suffering for epilepsy, heart disease and photosensitive people. The installation is not recommended for children under 12 years of age