Tell/ Sell, a common story (2014-16)

A performance work created by Sarah van Lamsweerde, in collaboration with Esther Mugambi, originally commissioned by Ellen de Bruijne Projects in the frame of their Performance Programme in January/February 2014

This work is concerned with the found, fictional or factual narratives around art objects. Taking the form of a classical art auction – as opposed to a conventional art piece – a story about a particular artwork is sold to willing bidders, word by word, before it is told as part of a narrative whole. The audience in attendance blindly shapes the tale, through the frame of their own consuming desires, in advance of the story being spilled. As a result, the work of art is not owned by one, but several persons.