Elizabeth Charotte Rist was born in 1962 in Grabs, Sankt Gallen, in Switzerland. Since her childhood she has been nicknamed Pipilotti. The name refers to the novel Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. She is known for her experiential video and installation art. These often portray self-portraits and singing. Her style is often considered surreal, intimate, and abstract. It is often related or focused on the presentation of the female body which is part of why her artwork is often noted as feminist art.
This is so fucking weird. It’s just a trailer for the exhibition but already it is super interesting. She is using her body as a way to create her art in this piece. The use of makeup and expression is how she explores the idea of femininity, while she’s smearing and distorting her face. This idea of messing up the makeup and the disturbing faces that she makes challenges stereotypical images of women.
The two videos on adjacent walls is an interesting idea. The content of two videos are different but compliment each other in a really interesting way. The lush vegetation compared to the woman with sparkly shoes walking down a busy street. Then the video shifts and she begins smashing windshields. It’s whimsical and anarchistic, with a police officer approving of the destruction. Again, this use of a soft object or traditionally non-destructive object in a way that challenges stereotypes is something I really enjoy about her work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks_DquEcaJI
She also directed a movie.
I didn’t have a chance to finish the whole thing (I plan to later) but was able to watch a decent amount of it. It is so wild and surreal and very distinctly Rist as the bright colors and whimsical qualities are maintained throughout. I think the production of a full film is a lot more interesting that some of her other video art pieces. It highlights her expertise, and shows her artistry through the ability to sustain stylistically and not fall flat throughout a feature length piece.