Floodable knowledge, 2023

"Floodable Knowledge" takes up one of the major themes of my installation "The Reading Room" (2021), namely neoliberal and libertarian theories. These forms of thought have served over the years to erode the role of the state and reposition the free market and individualism above all else, making coordinated action against the climate crisis all the more difficult. In "Floodable Knowledge", books emblematic of these theories, together with biographies of key figures in their implementation (Reagan, Thatcher, Musk, etc.) are intubated and flooded by circulating water. The books are arranged in stacks on four chairs representing different periods of capitalism and positioned at the four cardinal points, with a garbage can containing water at the center. A silver serving tray crowns the ensemble. Over the course of the 6-week exhibition, brave colonies of mold took over the books, and the water in the garbage can turned brown, tinged with the symbolic flushing of the words contained in the books. As in the other installations in DIY Flood, all the objects are second-hand.

Materials: books (foundational or emblematic texts of neoliberal and libertarian thought, with a few biographies of people who have contributed to putting those philosophies into practice, see list below), chairs, rug, garbage can, vinyl tubing, electric pump, rope, petroleum jelly, water. 

Installation views at the exhibition DIY Flood, CIRCA Art actuel, May 6 - June 17 2023.