Jens Kabisch
Encyclopedia
Jens Kabisch is a contemporary photographer, performance artist, author, and motivational speaker
whose work since 2000 has focused on authenticity, spirituality, purity, politics of funding, and the American identity. In his work, Kabisch assumes the identity of various persona to spread his message.
As American daredevil, "Evel Knievel
" and in full costume, Kabisch performs works that push the limits of human endurance, both for artist and audience. In doing so, he reveals how the American Identity is constructed and how its image is renewed. In "I Love America", the artist wears tight, red, white, and blue, athletic apparel and sunglasses, while performing a twitchy pub-dance to a 2 measure loop of disco percussion that continues for thirty minutes. The artist has performed this piece in gallery settings and at musical events held in nightlife establishments. Responses have been unpredictable, as this piece tests the patience of its viewers.
"Super A", the Melanesia
n theorist and theologian, alter ego of Evil performs on stage while inhaling helium and telling jokes. "While under the influence of the US Army in the mid 40’s and 50’s the islanders of Melanesia
developed an ostentatious practice mimicking the US culture, worshiping the wealth (cargo!) This performance elaborates on the basics of the cargo cult
and shows the difficult implications of simulation and over-identification today."
During the Obama
/McCain
campaigns of 2008, Kabisch gave a lecture which explored the "alleged differences between Barack Obama
and John McCain
, show how these differences are reflected in their appearances and media strategies, and ask what irony has to do with it."
In a recent project, "High On Life!", Evil explores the spiritual limits of The American Dream of which he is a very proud incarnation. During a 3 week stay in Christiana, Denmark, Evil sat in a hole in the ground meditating. The artist expanded the view of his profession (daredevil) by meditating daily and engaging in a number of social activities focusing on the themes of "purity" and "purification".
On this journey of self exploration, Evil says, "I am here to explore. I am on a quest for personal integrity and unity. Man is asked to make of himself what he is supposed to become to fulfill what he is meant. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t do drugs. I relinquish anything that’s wrong. I’m high on life! “
Jens Kabisch, studied Fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, the University of the Arts
, Berlin, and at Central Saint Martins College, London.
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
whose work since 2000 has focused on authenticity, spirituality, purity, politics of funding, and the American identity. In his work, Kabisch assumes the identity of various persona to spread his message.
As American daredevil, "Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel
Evel Knievel , born Robert Craig Knievel, was an American daredevil and entertainer. In his career he attempted over 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps between 1965 and 1980, and in 1974, a failed jump across Snake River Canyon in the Skycycle X-2, a steam-powered rocket...
" and in full costume, Kabisch performs works that push the limits of human endurance, both for artist and audience. In doing so, he reveals how the American Identity is constructed and how its image is renewed. In "I Love America", the artist wears tight, red, white, and blue, athletic apparel and sunglasses, while performing a twitchy pub-dance to a 2 measure loop of disco percussion that continues for thirty minutes. The artist has performed this piece in gallery settings and at musical events held in nightlife establishments. Responses have been unpredictable, as this piece tests the patience of its viewers.
"Super A", the Melanesia
Melanesia
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
n theorist and theologian, alter ego of Evil performs on stage while inhaling helium and telling jokes. "While under the influence of the US Army in the mid 40’s and 50’s the islanders of Melanesia
Melanesia
Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania extending from the western end of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji. The region comprises most of the islands immediately north and northeast of Australia...
developed an ostentatious practice mimicking the US culture, worshiping the wealth (cargo!) This performance elaborates on the basics of the cargo cult
Cargo cult
A cargo cult is a religious practice that has appeared in many traditional pre-industrial tribal societies in the wake of interaction with technologically advanced cultures. The cults focus on obtaining the material wealth of the advanced culture through magic and religious rituals and practices...
and shows the difficult implications of simulation and over-identification today."
During the Obama
Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
Barack Obama, then junior United States Senator from Illinois, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007. On August 27, 2008, he was declared nominee of the Democratic Party for the 2008 presidential election...
/McCain
John McCain presidential campaign, 2008
John McCain, the senior United States Senator from Arizona, launched his second candidacy for the presidency of the United States in an unsuccessful bid to win the 2008 presidential election. His candidacy, in the works for a number of years, was informally announced on February 28, 2007 during a...
campaigns of 2008, Kabisch gave a lecture which explored the "alleged differences between Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, show how these differences are reflected in their appearances and media strategies, and ask what irony has to do with it."
In a recent project, "High On Life!", Evil explores the spiritual limits of The American Dream of which he is a very proud incarnation. During a 3 week stay in Christiana, Denmark, Evil sat in a hole in the ground meditating. The artist expanded the view of his profession (daredevil) by meditating daily and engaging in a number of social activities focusing on the themes of "purity" and "purification".
On this journey of self exploration, Evil says, "I am here to explore. I am on a quest for personal integrity and unity. Man is asked to make of himself what he is supposed to become to fulfill what he is meant. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t do drugs. I relinquish anything that’s wrong. I’m high on life! “
Jens Kabisch, studied Fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, the University of the Arts
University of the Arts Bremen
The University of the Arts Bremen is a publicly funded university in Bremen, Germany and one of the most successful ones whose roots in music, arts and design date back to 1873...
, Berlin, and at Central Saint Martins College, London.