Christoph Schlingensief: Auslander Raus (Foreigners Out) – 90mins
“Foreigner Out! Schlingensief’s Container” is a thrilling and revealing, funny yet frightening chronicle and deliberation of one of the biggest public acts of tongue-in-cheek art terrorism in the age of multimedia.”
The documentary, charting Schlingensief’s week-long performance / multi-media event ‘Foreigners Out!’ was staged in Vienna in 2000 in an attempt to mobilize public debate arounf and expose public complicity with the rise of the FPO (Freedom Party of Austria) and their xenophobic and anti-immigration policies.
Inspired by the format of Big Brother Schlingensief takes on the role of provocateur within his installation; consisting of a large shipping container in the center of Vienna that served as a temporary dwelling for asylum seekers underneath the blue flag of the FPO and also a banner depicting the slogan ‘Auslander Raus’ (Foreigners Out). The general public were encouraged to vote out their least favorite housemate who would then be sent home with the last one left being declared the winner and be awarded with a large sum of money alongside permission to stay in Austria (if they were able to find an Austrian spouse). The potency of this work can best be understood in the light of the rising xenophobic climate in Austria and also the rise of far-right sentiment in Europe at the time but it also provides an important example of the role a politically engaged mode of performance practice can play in creating a sustained discourse surrounding issues of public concern.
In a contemporary British political climate of Brexit, Theresa May’s “Go Home” Vans, an American President who re-tweets far right nationalist hate groups amongst a plethora of unending isolationist, far-right sentiment Schlingensief’s work appears all to prescient.
Schlingensief film: Ausländer Raus (a film by Paul Poet)-This event is programmed as part of Practice Makes Practice, an artist development programme run by artists for artists. Practice makes Practice focuses on developing artistic talent and equipping artists with the necessary skills to manage their practice, bridging the gap between art school, studio practice, the gallery and beyond.Throughout January and early February, Practice Makes Practice is being programmed with Nathaniel Whitfield, who is undertaking Practice Makes Practice – A Social Residency with us at The NewBridge Project.
