The Marathon

1999 + 2003 | Performance | 01h53m | installation: 2 running machines, 2 ventilators, 2 video cameras, 2 monitors, 4 photographs, carpet

The centre of the work is the act of running itself; 21 kilometres that each of us run which totals a full distance of 42 Km - a marathon. We run on two professional treadmills, placed parallel to each other and partially overlapping. Each of us is facing in the opposite direction so that we are running shoulder to shoulder. In front of each of us we place a monitor connected to a closed circuit camera, showing a section of the other runner's back. While running, each of us is gazing at the other's back. The image of the back hardly changes during the running, it is almost an abstract image. Above each monitor, a ventilator ventilates our backs while blowing our sweat on one another. In this way mental and physical paradoxes of directions, distance and movement are created; a circular movement of pursuing, fleeing, attracting, supporting as well as movement of stretching along an imaginary line which grows as time passes and distance increases. The pace is fixed in order to assure that we would both finish the 21 km at exactly the same moment.

The centre of the work is the act of running itself; 21 kilometres that each of us run which totals a full distance of 42 Km - a marathon. We run on two professional treadmills, placed parallel to each other and partially overlapping. Each of us is facing in the opposite direction so that we are running shoulder to shoulder. In front of each of us we place a monitor connected to a closed circuit camera, showing a section of the other runner's back. While running, each of us is gazing at the other's back. The image of the back hardly changes during the running, it is almost an abstract image. Above each monitor, a ventilator ventilates our backs while blowing our sweat on one another. In this way mental and physical paradoxes of directions, distance and movement are created; a circular movement of pursuing, fleeing, attracting, supporting as well as movement of stretching along an imaginary line which grows as time passes and distance increases. The pace is fixed in order to assure that we would both finish the 21 km at exactly the same moment.

At the exhibition "Sportivement Votre", 2004, General view

At the exhibition "Sportivement Votre", 2004, General view

First Marathon, 23/03/1999, Bezalel Art Academy, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.

First Marathon, 23/03/1999, Bezalel Art Academy, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.

Second Marathon, 21/03/2004, Domaine de Chamarande, France.

Second Marathon, 21/03/2004, Domaine de Chamarande, France.

In each performance 4 photos were installed in the performance space, taken at an exact distance of 21km from the running spot, to the north, south east and west.

In each performance 4 photos were installed in the performance space, taken at an exact distance of 21km from the running spot, to the north, south east and west.

21km from the spot of the Marathon installation at the Bezalel Art Academy, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 23/03/1999.

21km from the spot of the Marathon installation at the Bezalel Art Academy, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, 23/03/1999.

21km from the spot of the Marathon installation at Domaine de Chamarande, France, 21/03/2004.

21km from the spot of the Marathon installation at Domaine de Chamarande, France, 21/03/2004.

The Marathon at domaine de Chamarand, 2004 excerpt from documentation

The Marathon at domaine de Chamarand, 2004 excerpt from documentation