NO SHOW MUSEUM

Do nothing, 2004-2010.

2nd | B

"I was invited to Vooruit in Gent to take part in a show. I decided to do absolutely nothing. I spent most of my days sleeping in, relaxing at the bar and watching my fellow artists work. I also played some playstation.

I decided to limit the performance to 5 editions, in order not to perform it all the time. I was invited to perform the piece at The Castello di Rivoli in 2005. And again at the Cradle of Humankind in 2010. I gifted one in the edition to curator Andrew Lamprecht for his birthday." (Ed Young)

Can't paint, 2012.

2nd | B  

Bruce Gordon, 2002-2003.

2nd | B

Performance. "Ed Young burst onto the scene in 2002 when his work Bruce Gordon, curated by Andrew Lamprecht, hit the media headlines. Bruce Gordon, Jo'burg bar owner and local art world personality, was auctioned at a fund-raising event held by Michaelis as Bruce Gordon (Found Object [concept]). He was bought by Suzy Bell for R52 000 and subsequently donated to the South African National Gallery. Of course, the concept of human-as-art coupled with the large amount of money exchanged was challenging and garnered a host of media attention. This work pretty much stands as the epitomé of Young's practice." (1)

No Ed, 2013. 

2nd | B

Performance, Video. Ed Young hired some of his friends' kids to protest against him. The demonstration took place in front of the Kunsthaus Zurich. In a tongue-in-cheek manner, this work plays with the topic of the "death of the author." In this case, however, the negation of the artist had the opposite effect, as it evoked his presence, which would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Watch the documentation here: No Ed (video)