Annika Ström, Ten Embarrassed Men, 2010
Annika Ström
Ten Embarrassed Men

The performances by the Swedish artist Annika Ström (*1964 Sweden, UK) deal with the position of women artists in today’s art world, among other things – especially with the fact that they are under-represented in public collections. The artist usually does not take part in her own performances. Instead, she employs actors to play individuals in specific situations, such as the Ten Embarrassed Men (2010) at the art fair, The Upset Man (2011) talking loudly on his phone during the opening speeches of an art exhibition, or Seven Women Standing in the Way (2011 / 2012). Ironically, these performances affirm and subvert stereotypical gender roles in the art world at the same time. She is exhibiting and performing extensively. JE

artist's website: www.annikastrom.net

In the performance Ten Embarrassed Men, which was commissioned by Frieze Projects for the Frieze Art Fair 2010, ten embarrassed-looking men wandered around the fair stands during opening hours. The ten men were played by actors of different ages. All were dressed in identical dark trousers and white shirts, and all expressed embarrassment about the fact that women artists are under-represented on the art market.


Courtesy Annika Ström
Document media
photograps

Issue date
2010

Tags
institutional critique, durational performance, public space