Installation shown as part of the exhibition "Generation" at Borås Konstmuseum October 17, 2020 - April 1, 2021
The exhibition Generation aims to surprise and provide an entry into the period of Swedish art history that preceded the turn of the millennium. There are many aspects of the art scene in the 90s that resemble the current art scene, and many names are still active today. However, there are also significant differences between then and now. Up until that point, art history had been predominantly dominated by men, which changed during the 90s. There was also a liberating "fuck you" attitude, and perhaps the 90s were the last innocent decade before the internet and social media made everything transparent and searchable. During this time, an idealism and rebellious spirit reminiscent of the punk movement emerged, with a desire to provoke. There was both a newfound artistic freedom and a widespread questioning of what an artwork should look like and what art can be.The exhibition is curated by Lena Mattsson and Ola Åstrand, both of whom debuted as artists in the 90s. https://boraskonstmuseum.se/utstallningar/undermeny-utstallningar/tidigare-utstallningar/generation.html
The video is based on the story of Rodney King and the events that sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Rodney King was apprehended by the Los Angeles Police Department after a high-speed chase on March 3, 1991. The officers pulled him out of the car and beat him brutally. It was all captured on video by amateur cameraman George Holliday. The incident was covered by news media around the world and caused a public outcry. The four L.A.P.D. officers involved were indicted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and excessive use of force by a police officer. However, after a three-month trial, a predominantly white jury acquitted the officers, enraging citizens and sparking the violent 1992 Los Angeles Riots.
The video has been screened extensively internationally, including at Documenta X as part of Johan Grimonprez and Herman Asselbergs project – "Prends garde! A jouer au fantome on le devient". It was also shown at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, ZKM in Karlsruhe, and at the Borås Konstmuseum. The film was nominated for MTV video awards, received the Deutcher videokunspreis, and was part of a collection of LPC films that won first prize at Nordiskt Panorama.
Music by Lucky People Center. From the CD Welcome to Lucky People Center. Composed and produced by Johan Söderberg, Sebastian Öberg, Lars Åkerlund. Co-composed by Christian Falk.
The video is part of the film "Information is Free".