Unperforming the Dream House

With an introduction by Thibault Walter

The text explores the significance of the Dream House, an art installation that primarily engages with sound and light, within the context of 2021, following a period of pandemic-induced lockdowns and isolation. It delves into the questions raised by the Dream House, extending beyond the realm of sound and art to encompass topics like dreams, politics, and contemporary societal values.

One crucial aspect of the Dream House is its ability to create a multisensory experience that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional art forms. It prompts reflection on the socio-political landscape, linking its origins to the 1960s and 70s in the United States to the present-day “Capitalocene” era characterized by capitalist exploitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness of humanity, highlighting the need to reevaluate how we coexist. This global crisis has led to a renewed focus on living spaces and our shared vulnerabilities. The text questions the desire for perfection and attunement within the Dream House’s environment, suggesting a shift away from the pursuit of idealism.

It also critiques the modernist context in which the Dream House exists, pointing out the contradictions between its emphasis on impermanence and the reality of its enduring reproduction, often tied to corporate finance and patronage. The work is seen as an artistic environment, firmly situated within the discourse and values of the art world.

To offer a different perspective, the text suggests re-staging the Dream House as a form of criticism devoid of text. This practice-oriented approach allows for the exploration of complexities, difficulties in translation, and the generational and geographical shifts that occur during the process. Ultimately, the re-staging becomes an artwork in itself, unveiling new insights and understandings beyond traditional theoretical analysis.

To encourage engagement with the concept of unperformance, the text provides five text scores, which act as prompts rather than strict instructions. These scores invite readers to reinterpret and interact with the Dream House, fostering creativity and individual exploration. In essence, the text urges readers to embrace these scores as starting points to craft their own versions of a Dream House.

The text originated in the context of a project with students at the ECAL/école cantonale d’art de Lausanne.