SERVICE – a videophone conversation
> video (1999)
> video (2018)

SERVICE is a conversation between the live performer Steffi Weismann and her alter ego, who can be seen as a video image on the monitor next to her. The title refers to the intention behind this dialogue: taking advantage of a service in order to test one’s own way of thinking, achievements and goals. The video self, a lone wolf, has an unerring memory and clear objectives. The live person, in contrast, is socially bound and reacts strongly to her personal surroundings. The dispute between the two revolves around the topics of ‘art and money’, caring for a child, professional perspectives and the influence of one’s love life on artistic inspiration. Finally, they compete to see who can concentrate better. Questions and answers are very precisely synchronised, since the timing is dictated by the video recording, and the illusion of a live conversation is maintained nonetheless. Both figures try to outdo each other’s arguments, but the live player will – and must – win.

solo performance by Steffi Weismann
collaboration and camera: Stefan Vens
duraton: 12 min. 13 Sec.
performed at: SOLO LALA, international Solo-Festival in Berlin 1996; auf eine art. Performance Days, KuLe, Berlin 1997; CLUSTER Forum für Neue Musik, Weimar 1997; OFK, Kunstraum Offenbach 1999; kaskadenkondensator, Basel 1999; HbK Hannover, 2000; "Recall Service" bei "Living Archive" kaskadenkondensator Basel 2007; Lichtblick Kino, Berlin 2020; Errant Sound, Berlin 2019