»Background Action« by Krassimir Terziev at the Württembergischen Kunstverein

»Background Action« is a multimedia installation by the Bulgarian artist Krassimir Terziev. With photographs, graphics, slides, and videos, the installation draws attention to 300 Bulgarian extras who were flown to Mexico in 2003 for one of the most expensive Hollywood films at the time, »Troy« (USA 2004). Recruited as »elite troops« corresponding perfectly to the physiognomic ideal of the ancient Mediterranean fighter, the extras were first of all cheap labor, paid a daily wage of 12 US$.

As a walkable »Making of …«, »Background Action« speaks from the viewpoint of those people whose silent bodies create the filmic masses and focuses on expectations, hopes, conflicts and disappointments. At the same time, the work critically and ironically traces the global, economic and political interconnections in the film industry.

The installation is an extension of and a three-dimensional translation of the experimental documentary film »Battles of Troy« that Terziev produced in 2005.

Terziev’s corresponding publication »EXTRA WORK« (merz&solitude) will be available at the exhibition.

Krassimir Terziev was born in 1969. He lives in Sofia. Being trained as a painter, he also produces photographs, installations, computer-mediated works, but the moving image has proven to be his most effective and expressive idiom. His work has been shown internationally on television (P.A.R.K.4 DTV, Arte), at festivals and cultural institutions in Antwerpen, Vienna, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Chicago and Kairo. In 2006/2007 he was Solitude fellow.

The exhibition is a cooperation between the Württembergischen Kunstverein and Akademie Schloss Solitude.

Württembergischer Kunstverein, Schlossplatz 2, 70173 Stuttgart,
Exhibition duration: February 23 to May 4, 2008.
Hours:Tue, Thu – Sun: 11:00 am – 6:00 pmWed: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Entrance fees:5/ 3 EUR reduced
More information at www.wkv-stuttgart.de