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The art project "weltfragen" has philosophic as well as aesthetic aspects which accompany
the work and the progress of the actions.
The philosophic reflections refer to the reception of a 200 year old and
ageless question. A broad billboard campaign was initiated in different parts of Europe. This campaign brings out interest in Kant's four questions again in the years of the new century. People think about the social and linguistic context of the questions. Is there really a demand for the answers to these questions? Do we want an answer
aside the traffic and amidst christmas shopping? Do we want a loud, silent or anonymous answer? Do Kant's questions have any meaning in everyday life?
It could be that passersby think the questions are rhetoric or advertising
and wonder about what should be sold. Maybe they think that the billboards
are from a sect, are visual molestation or mental edification.
Passersby read the questions in their own and in foreign languages. They ask themselves who is meant? Is it me who is meant? A German philosopher
is wondering about that. To him the difference between "was kann ich"
(what can I do) and "was darf ich" (what am I allowed to do) is important.
Some languages for example English have one verb (can) whereas German has
two ("koennen" and "duerfen").
Advertisment and art in public tend to bring up aesthetic reflections. The
artist thinks about what kind of design, typeface, colour, appearance and
effect to use. He decides how to make and fix a canvas so that it will be
noticed. He chooses paper and glue so that they will last long. He wonders
about what the wheather will be like, if his art will be damaged or completed with graffiti or comments. The artist asks himself: what kind of spreading is possible, economic and
makes sense? Will the recognition of Kant become as present as the single
billboard? How long wil it take? How long will it take that the single one
stands for the whole philosophy?
Even if a recipient doesn't understand the language or the question: he
will understand the work. It is a simple and a clear thing. It is not
language, it`s nothing to think about, it`s art. It deals with the
perception of pictures. "weltfragen" is the construction of a picture: of a
three-dimensional, temporary, everday life, multiplied, black-on-yellow
picture. Imagine: this picture is made and perceptable for everyone,
who isn't just blind.
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