THE SCHOOL OF HOPE (the show must go on)

1-Channel Video installation

4:3 PAL DVD

12 mins loop

Format 4x3m

(the show must go on) combines the visuals of a Rembrandt-like crucifixion scene with the atmospheric sound of a live-to-air boxing fight to produce a provoking and contemporary video-work about religion, media and hope. The crucifixion is divided into three rounds and two breaks. The audience is a multi-lingual cacophony of German, Russian and Turkish. We hear the voice of a British commentator, reporting the event. Using typical boxing terms, he describes the fight of “The Contender” for TV broadcast. During the fight, the situation develops into a nightmare for both The Contender and The Commentator. But the show must go on.

CAST – André Scioblowski
VOICE – Steve Ellery

SHOWS

* Margaret Lawrence Galleries, Melbourne / Australia – Download the catalogue ‘Go for Gold’

* open-PLAYER, NEXT ART CHICAGO /USA
* Cologne OFF International Video Art Festival, Cologne / Germany on tour at:
- Dehli International Arts Festival, Alliance Francaise, New Dehli / India
- Carnival of e-Creativity, Sattal Estate, Bhimal / India
* MADATAC 03, Matador & Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid / Spain
* “V-Kunst Frankfurt”, Galerien Fahrgasse, Frankfurt / Germany
* “What happened to God?”, Halle 14, Leipzig / Germany

BROADCASTING

* souvenirs from earth - the first cable station broadcasting 24/7 program of film and video art.

REVIEWS

Lightweight challenger Duk Koo Kim lasted 14 rounds against Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas in 1982. The fight was stopped in the 15^th round, but it was too late for the twenty-three year old who died after lapsing into a coma. (…) If you Google Duk Koo Kim you can find photographs of the Korean boxer lying flat on the tarpaulin at the end of the 14^th round. There are hundreds of spectators in the crowd surrounding the ring, but not all of them appear to be cheering. (…) Boris Eldagsen works with this tension and opposition in The Show Must Go On. His Jesus Christ is transformed from religious icon, wall-mounted crucifix or shiny pendant bobbing between cleavage, to the face of a young man in agony, fighting the good fight. Yeah, I can laugh at the construct, the commentary, the ringing of the bell at the end of each round, but momentarily this gives way to something else transcending bloodlust or schadenfreude. I think its called empathy. Bec Dean, Curator, Performance Space Sydney

If you do one thing – go and watch Boxing Jesus. Religious art reinvented as a boxing hall of fame. The Age, Australia

This exhibition is a knockout. Gus Mercurio, Actor, TV Announcer and President of the Australian National Boxing Federation