The work Golden Party explores various manifestations of ‘amateurish’ multi-level sales practices through Tupperware–like parties, organized among social acquaintances. The informal domestic structure of home-sale Tupperware-like parties, which Bekan’s mother frequently organizes, is the focus of the video. The model of the domestic networking parties can be seen as a modern instrument for the constant improvement of life. According to the artist these meetings have led her to an investigation of the performative role of the object, the mediator and membership of the constituent social group who attend. The artist’s mother and group of her close friends, who meet once a week, and whose hobby is freelancing for various multi-level companies ranging from jewelry to health products take centre stage in the film. The recent economic crisis introduced different variations of these so-called ‘parties’ and included ‘gold valuation’ and exchange. The gathering was re-staged and filmed in Belgrade, in the family apartment. By looking at leisure perceived as work, the video is exploring ‘the body at work’ failing when confronted with certain tasks and expectations.
Golden PartyMaja Bekan (RS)
Video, 2012
Maja Bekan (RS)
Maja Bekan is performance and visual artists, from the former Yugoslavia, currently based in The Netherlands. She is the co-founder and developer of the Rotterdam based artists' initiative ADA, Area for Debate and Art. By working with different mediums she explores the notion of free time, the use of it, its initiation, establishment and ritualization. Interested in a collaborative and social as well as a medium approach within her artistic practice, she works on long term research-based projects that involve different levels of collaboration, and that are presented to the public in the form of performances, specifically created environments, video/audio/text based installations and public conversations. She received a master’s degree in Fine Art at Piet Zwart Institute and at the University of Plymouth (2008). In 2008 she initiated two long-term research projects: Secret Powers for Identity, Security and Self- Respect in Troubling Times and P for Performance, a platform investigating performance as a stage of potential for knowledge production. Bekan has been involved in different art committees and educational programs such as residency place Kunsthuis SYB and Piet Zwart Institute, MA Fine Arts program. Her recent project Ultimate Flexible Work Station is hosted at the moment (until January 2014) by the ‘Institute for Provocation’, Beijing, China. Her work has been presented at (a.o.) SMBA Amsterdam; Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven; Tent and Witte de With Rotterdam; KCB Belgrade; The Nunnery, London; Istanbul Biennale; New York and now in IFP Beijing.
