Christian Niccoli’s artistic work examines situations and patterns of behaviour within different social groups, focusing on the interaction between individuals. Niccoli works with photography and video, and he always stages his themes with great precision, employing professional actors. His films do not copy reality, therefore; they represent it in an abstract and metaphorical way.
In Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Christian Niccoli is showing “An steilen Hängen Laufen lernen” (Learning to Walk on Steep Slopes) a multi-channel version of his 16mm film “Planschen” (Splashing Around, 2007/08). Six videos, which are projected onto single wooden cubes distributed around the exhibition space, show six people who – fully dressed – are aimlessly and helplessly swimming around, wearing a swim ring. No real interaction occurs over the course of the entire film; the protagonists only look around at the others with apparent mockery or envy. Metaphorically, the film describes the ‘floating state’ experienced by people who live in a city as strangers and simply let themselves ‘drift’.
Often demonstrating an absurd aspect, Niccoli’s films always represent the artist’s way of coming to terms with his autobiographical experiences. As a result, they are both self-analysis and a critical observation of our society.
As a guest at Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Christian Niccoli is currently participating in our International Studio Programme.