Bodies and Accidents responds to the oeuvre of Francis Bacon (1909–1992) using devices from performance and video art, reflecting Bacon’s intense, often distorted depictions of bodies and portraits, but also the artist’s method of painting as such by movement, space, sound and installation. Beyond the mere observation of the artworks as it takes places in museums, Bodies and Accidents opens a new perspective on the paintings, which Bacon created as mirrors of human existence – paintings characterised by deformation and imperfection, but also enormous sensual intensity.

Bodies and Accidents marks the second collaboration between brut, the choreographer Georg Blaschke and the video/media artist Jan Machacek. The two artists have laid the groundwork for an original aesthetic approach to the representation of bodies, images and spatial installations with their successful performance I Don’t Remember This Body (2017, 2018). Their new creation Bodies and Accidents will be devised specifically for the world premiere at Atelierhaus der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien, the studio building of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

Following the show on February 23rd, 4 pm, there will be an artist talk.

Georg Blaschke lives in Vienna and works as a freelance choreographer, dancer and lecturer for contemporary dance. As a producer of his own works over several years, he has developed and presented a unique choreographic language in various formats and collaborations. His recent multi-part works are strongly influenced by motives and stylistic devices from visual art. Blaschke’s choreographic methods develop in close interaction between physical performance, visual art and musical composition. www.georgblaschke.com

Jan Machacek studied sculpture and set design and works at the intersection of media art and performance. His performances and short films have been presented at Tanzquartier Wien and brut Wien, at Mousonturm Frankfurt, at Tanzhaus nrw in Düsseldorf, at Chelsea Theatre and at international festivals such as the Vienna Film Festival, the Sonic Acts Festival Amsterdam and Avanto in Finland. Machacek has been honoured with numerous awards. Most recently, his work as a set and video designer with director Gin Müller was featured in the brut programme, both for the two-part show Fantomas Monster and for Ghost Times. A Queer Journey Through Theatre, which premiered in October 2018.