Donghee NamDE

Erforschung des Da-Seins

Performative research in public spaces · 2022

A person in an orange sweater and a blue woolly hat sits cross-legged on a paved square, seen from behind, under a blue sky with clouds; two small bird droppings lie on the ground in front of them.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

(Exploration of Being)

The research question

What occurs when one person's 'mere existence' takes place in public spaces? Can this 'mere existence' be transmitted?

From September 1 to October 30, 2022, I was 'present' for one hour each week in various public spaces in Frankfurt. This research is a performative exploration in public spaces, where I observed interactions or non-interactions with the audience without expectations, while reflecting on human psychology and relationships, and integrating artistic practices into everyday life.

Equally essential, observing the emotions of the visible performer and communication with city dwellers who became accidental spectators.

The logos of the funders: NEUSTART KULTUR and Fonds Darstellende Künste, with the line #TakeCareResidenzen.

Photo: NEUSTART KULTUR, Fonds Darstellende Künste

Nr. 2: It Poured on Command - Cleaning

Saturday, 10 September 2022, 5–6 PM

Green Stripes Günthersburgallee

A person in a blue jacket sits on a park bench in an empty park, a yellow-orange sign leaning against the bench beside them; trees and a blue tram in the background.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

A person in a blue and yellow jacket with an orange collar sits on a strip of grass beside a road, seen from behind, a hand-lettered sign reading ERFORSCHUNG DES DA-SEINS leaning against their back; wild carrot stalks in the foreground, a dark conifer on the right.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Nr. 3: Self-Taken Picture of a Falling Phone

Friday, 16 September 2022, 12–1 PM

Nameless Alley at Kirschwaldstraße

A cloudy grey sky seen from below, a bare branch at the top edge and the dark corner of a roof or frame cutting across the picture in a V.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Nr. 4: Sitting Next to Bird Droppings

Wednesday, 21 September 2022, 2–3 PM

Pedestrian Zone Heinz-Raspe-Platz

A poster in a cream-coloured rounded shape with a green edge: the large letters ERFORSCHUNG DES DA-SEINS, a small figure in a blue jacket sitting cross-legged, and the details of Nr. 4, 14–15 Uhr, Mi. 21.9.2022, Am Heinz-Raspe-Platz, Frankfurt am Main.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Nr. 5: Razor Blade on Transparent Fade

Wednesday, 5 October 2022, 11 AM–12 PM

Pedestrian Bridge Eiserner Steg

A person in an orange sweater and a blue woolly hat sits cross-legged on pavement, seen from behind; across the picture the white title ERFORSCHUNG DES DA-SEINS and below it the details of Nr. 5, 11–12:00, Mi. 5. Okt. 2022, Eiserner Steg, Frankfurt am Main.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

On the railing of a bridge covered in love locks stands a transparent sheet with orange lettering; in front of it a golden bowl and a golden bottle, below them pink feathers.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

A small stool with blue legs and a golden top on a paved bridge, a golden bottle and a bowl with a wooden board standing on it; behind it the blurred love locks of the railing.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Nr. 6: Construction Grid Game

Saturday, 15 October 2022, 7:30–8:30 PM

Playground Günthersburgpark

A poster on a dark blue background with blurred lights: the spaced-out letters ERFORSCHUNG DES DA-SEINS and the details of Nr. 6, 19:30, Sa. 15.10.2022, Spielplatz Günthersburgpark, Frankfurt am Main.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Nr. 7: This Will Be Gone

Sunday, 23 October 2022, 2–3 PM

Stairs Skatepark Osthafen

A wide concrete staircase seen from below, a person in a blue hood crouching near the top; faint chalk writing repeating the words THIS WILL BE GONE covers the steps.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

A black-and-white hand-drawn poster: the words ERFORSCHUNG DES DA-SEINS written on three steps of a staircase, and below it a skateboard with the words Treppe neben Skatepark Osthafen Frankfurt.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Nr. 8: I Will Listen to You for 5 Minutes

Sunday, 30 October 2022, 2–3 PM

Bus Stop M32 Günthersburgallee → Miquelallee

A green poster with a yellow circle in the shape of a bus-stop sign: a big H, a cup, and the words ICH HÖRE DIR ZU 5 MINUTEN, 14–15 Uhr, So. 30.10.2022, with the title Erforschung des Da-seins below.

Photo: Donghee Nam, Benjamin Blume

Year
2022
Period
1 September – 30 October 2022
Medium
Performative research in public spaces
Duration
One hour each week
Venue
Frankfurt
Funded by
NEUSTART KULTUR, #Takecareresidenzen Fonds Darstellende Künste