Spect

Spect (1999) was a performance by Baktruppen. It was made in 3D with body graffiti and on sleeping pills. Spect was developed through a series of remixes in which the focus changed from performance to performance. Perhaps did the performers of Baktruppen take sleeping pills and fell asleep during the performance, perhaps they stayed awake.

Information

(Objekt ID 10352)
Object type Production
Premiere February 12, 1999
Produced by Baktruppen
Audience Adults
Keywords Performance, Theatre, Multidisciplinary, Post-dramatic theatre
Running period February 12, 1999  —  March 24, 2000
Website Baktruppen

Requirements to venue

Minimum stage width 4m
Minimum stage depth 3m
Blackout No
Other 4 x videomonitor, videoprojector, 2 x videorecorder, computer, telenet-line
More

Spect by Baktruppen presented five performances and an exhibition. The title Spect referred to Baktruppen’s then future work Respect, work continuing with support from The Norwegian Culture Fund and money from its project Ungdom og scenekunst (Youth and Performing Arts). For Spect new texts, images, music and choreography were produced. This material was further developed in Respect.

In Spect Baktruppen related to themes such as the Oslo suburb Groruddalen and what the company referred to as "undervalued, underexposed and underprioritised social and cultural conditions in the local community". The media used ranged between the internet, video, acting, photography and sound.

The following was written in a note on Spect in the archive of Baktruppen's:

"The analysis of bullshit is a pain in the ass. Maybe it can be completed only in reverse, when you let the bullshit analyse you. You should act like the bullshit's déjà-vu. Awakening from bullshit, the ego will be gone and have to constitute itself in another animal. Let me weigh your breath against this dead cat. Dead cats are NOT sexy. It's my intention to prove that you have forgotten this. The boredom of language has conquered your instincts. You must remember, the natural and at the same time the spiritual goal of every human being, is the UNITY of sex and world. Isn't it sexy? Language is NOT sexy. If you can see how this bullshit streams out from the anus of silence, you would nevermore be tempted to analyse, but fuck on."

Spect was supported by The Norwegian Culture Fund and the contemporary art forum Samtidskunstforum Art Gallery.

Sources:

Baktruppen, 03.01.2011, http://www.baktruppen.org

Knut Ove Arntzen and Camilla Eeg-Tverbakk, ed. (2009). Performance art by Baktruppen. First part. Oslo: The publishing house Kontur forlag

Baktruppen's archive, donated by: Baktruppen, March 2011

Contributors (10)
Name Role
Erik Balke – Co-creator
Øyvind Berg – Co-creator
Trine Falch – Co-creator
Harald Fetveit – Co-creator
Gisle Frøysland – Co-creator
Ingvild Holm – Co-creator
Jørgen Knudsen – Co-creator
Per Henrik Svalastog – Co-creator
Bo Krister Wallström – Co-creator
Worm Winther – Co-creator
Performance dates
March 24, 2000Teaterhuset Avant Garden (Bastard - Trondheim International Performing Arts Festival) Show
Navember 30, 199972-13 ICAA, TheatreWorks Show
Navember 29, 199972-13 ICAA, TheatreWorks Show
Navember 21, 1999Overlyssalen i Museet for samtidskunst, Nasjonalmuseet Show
Navember 7, 1999Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Künstlerhaus Mousonturm Show
Navember 6, 1999Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Künstlerhaus Mousonturm Show
October 16, 1999Stretch Show
October 15, 1999Stretch Show
September 18, 1999 20:00 – BIT Teatergarasjen (TextOUT) Show
September 17, 1999 20:00 – BIT Teatergarasjen (TextOUT) Show
May 6, 1999Teaterkroken (Helsinki Act '99) Show
May 3, 1999Theater Lübeck (Norddeutche Theatertreffen) Show
February 27, 1999Samtidskunstforum Art Gallery Show
February 13, 1999Samtidskunstforum Art Gallery Show
February 12, 1999Samtidskunstforum Art Gallery Worldwide premiere
Festivals (4)