let them eat cake

2023
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performance with participation, 4 hours
15 December 2023
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“Let them eat cake” is a quote used to express frivolous disregard or poor understanding of other people’s suffering. According to the story Queen Marie-Antoinette uttered these words when the people complained of not having any bread to put on their tables. The quote was only attributed to her decades after her death, and historians do not believe that she is likely to have spoken it – but the quote still reflects the enormous difference between the luxurious life of the rich and the hardship of the poor.

“Let them eat cake” was also the title of the central art piece and performance in the exhibition “Let them eat cake” at Galleri Monitor 2023. At the opening the visitors were invited to participate – to sit down at the table with me to eat cake and drink sparkling wine. After the opening the remains of the feast became a slowly decomposing part of the installation.

tablecloth in satin viscose, handpainted with reactive inks and screen printed with the remains of a feast; wine rings, empty plates, glasses, dirty napkins, maggots etc. When the visitors sat down to participate they could see both the now (the fresh cakes and the wine) — and the future (the remains after the feast)