War Upon Us

The real-time audiovisual performance War Upon Us sees conceptual and media artist Alexandra Reill (Vienna) join with electronic sound composer DARKO* (Brussels) to examine the role of transnational enterprises in the creation of peace and/or the construction of war. Does war simply arise on its own, or is war something that is “made?” Who profits from war? What role does the media play? And to what extent are individuals subject to war-related interests from the economic and/or political realms? And can they themselves exercise any sort of influence over peace-building or war-planning?

Utilizing TV spots and blockbuster productions, DARKO* and Reill explore contemporary developments of a globalization which is formed and characterized by big business—and, not unimportantly, which is strongly influenced by the media. In their audiovisual interpretations, the artists take the position that consumption, entertainment and advertising not only characterize capitalistic civil societies, but above all condition each and every person in their own way: More and more, individuals are defining their own self-worth via a longing for constant opportunities for self-display. The media likewise controls, distorts and manipulates the themes of war and peace, a phenomenon which confronts artists with the following decisive question: what sort of media production and media placement does it take to encourage and reinforce peace-building positions, and what role can individuals play in the creation of a peaceful world?

DARKO* and Reill experiment with abstract electronic, audiovisual worlds, contrasting them with advertising and commercial material. Moving images and sounds overlap and mesh with one another. This allows this approximately four-hour-long, real-time performance to create its very own atmospheric environment.