Temporary Monument #1: O Coqueiro

A photographic installation. Acrylic photo print on aluminium dibond backing, framed in wood and plywood frame with magnets.

In the North-East of Brazil, which is the state of Alagoas, by a deserted stretch of sea-side, I find a very tall and lonely coconut palm-tree and begin my training with a local 70-year old fisherman Misa, who is working with me on a daily basis. After many days, I am finally ready. I begin the performance at sunset on the 9th day of my training. I climb up and hang on for 7 hours, from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m., switching position every 10 minutes. While doing this, I am thinking about the slaves who were lucky to be born not too long before the abolishment (1888) – and climbed up the palm tree to buy their freedom. During the night they would steal precious seeds and swallow them. The seeds would then be passed on to friends, themselves former slaves, who had gained freedom earlier, to be sold at the market. This would allow the climbers to buy their own freedom.

• Limited Edition of 5 + 2 AP, 2015: 155,3 x 58,5 x 4,1cm (open), 109,1 x 58,5 x 8,2cm (closed)

• Limited Edition of 15 + 2 AP, 2019: 114,4 x 42 x 4,1cm(open), 80,4 x 42 x 8,2cm (closed)