- Bobby Zeitgeist and the Arrow of Love
- 2024
- Galerie Anton Janizewski, Berlin 2024
Performance still (photo credit: Hyesoo Chung)
Bobby Zeitgeist and the Arrow of Love was the second performance-exhibition to take place at Galerie Anton Janizewski. It featured three of Fehr's alter-egos performing a tragicomical musical set in a fictitious, slightly warped art space, that housed a makeshift aluminum "grand" piano and paintings that tied into the plot. An additional narrative layer unfolded via two video channels split accross four screens running in sync to the performance. The invitation read:
"On the morning of August 2nd 2024, interdisciplinary artist and composer Nicolas Fehr wakes up to find his world tilted by 26° and himself transformed into the time-travelling Bobby Zeitgeist — or is it Bobby who has woken up? Either way: According to Frau Tod's to-do, this very day shall be Bobby's last, the cause of death being an Arrow of Love shot from a baby's harp. After hiring private detective Ian Spektre to make out Zeitgeist's whereabouts, the trail leads to Galerie Anton Janizewski, where Fehr's (Bobby's?) first ever painting exhibition has just opened. Whether out of admiration, anxiety, or sheer mockery, all three start performing songs from Fehr's eclectic oeuvre, ranging from space-goth ballads over to trap, country, post-punk, and glitch-pop. The otherwise solitary Frau Tod has even brought along the professional alphornist Katrin Vogel. Will Bobby Zeitgeist slip through the hands of time, or will Destiny prevail?"
Performance stills (credit: Hyesoo Chung, Anna Wlach)
E
Cupid’s hoverin’ in the air
F#m A - G#m - F#m
Looks like he’s going for the kill
E
A heart-shaped tip flies through the air
F#m A - G#m - F#m
Until it pierces Bobby’s heart
A B Em D#dim C#7
And no one knows what happened to poor Bobby
F#m B7/11
Some say he fell in love
F#m B7
Others believe he bled out
nicki?
uh, no. nicki is not here right now. it’s, it’s bobby. bobby zeitgeist.
oh, um…ok, well-
do you want to leave a message?
yeah, sure. can you tell nicki the gallery called?
yes, but what is the message?
well, we have a free slot here on august 2nd and were wondering whether nicki would like to perform and/or show some work.
sounds very interesting! you’re very lucky!
aha, and why is that so?
well, nicki is not going to be there on august 2nd. but bobby zeitgeist will be there, and i know a-l-l his sad and not so sad songs, plus, i have access to his watercolor paintings and might even add one or two of my own!
so you’re saying nicki is not available, but you are and basically you could perform his songs and bring his paintings?
yes, exactly!
ok, well, one more thing. you know, we don’t really have a budget to pay the performer…but of course it would be a very good marketing opportunity for you and nicki.
oh, that’s too bad. i was so looking forward to getting financially rewarded. but then, i guess you’re right. and who knows, maybe we’ll even sell a painting!
haha, good one! hahahahahahAHAHAHAHAHahhahahaah
(both laugh)
okidoki, see you on the 2nd.
alright! sounds wonderful. see you soon