Annual performance in Geneva curated by The Montesinos Federation since 2016

Inspired by one of the most striking images of medieval Geneva, this project offers the Genevan population a great moment of symbolic jubilation by revisiting the concept of a pyre set up in a public place. The idea of this liberating fire is to invite everyone to come and get rid of those “burdensome” documents that weigh down our existence : parking tickets, court summonses, overdue invoices, reminders or receipts, either the originals or photocopies depending on each one’s preference.

A “Debtors’ Parade” preceeds the fiery performance. The procession heads to the Pointe de la Plaine de Plainpalais where the lighting of the fire and the burning of documents takes place.

BONFIRE OF POVERTY – Le Bûcher des Endettés – video by Lumière Noire, 2019

MORE PHOTOS

2020 Articles in La Tribune de Genève  & in 360° (in French)

2019 Article in Le Temps (in French)

2019 Article in Le Courrier (in French)

2018 Article in La Tribune de Genève (in French)

2017 Interview & review in La Spirale (in French)

2016 Walk on the Public Site performances curated by Madeleine Amsler & Marie-Eve Knoerle

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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LIGHT AND DATA INSTALLATION REMIXING THE ONE DOLLAR BILL ICONIC SYMBOLS FOR GENEVA LUX (curated by FMAC), BY THE LAKESIDE

Geneva’s motto – “Post Tenebras Lux” (“after darkness comes the light”) – takes on its full meaning during the Geneva Lux Festival showcasing luminous art installations on the streets and certain buildings when the dark long winter nights are at their peak.

In 2017, TMF has been invited to insert an interactive artwork related to the one dollar bill iconography (a huge pyramidal blinking neon) and mass manipulation techniques including banking data such as remixed quotes and the daily currency change rate (¥€$) on the LED screening gate, like some kind of portal to a Brave New World.

MAXIMA LVX VIRIDITATIS – The Montesinos Federation – Elena Montesinos, 2017

MAXIMA LVX VIRIDITAS (2018)

Light installation and public performance “Post Tenebras Spero Lucem” at Bain des Pâquis, curated by FMAC

In 2018, a different light installation was imagined for one of the most emblematic scenery of the lakeside: Les Bains de Pâquis.

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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Perfume World’s End Scent; smells of smoky gunpowder, burning tyres and rainy battlefields, composed by Frank Capra

WAZAWAI (ARMAGEDDON) – Commercial for the fragrance edited by S. Rodriguez, 2012
災い (Wazawai) means…. calamity.

Soundtrack by MUSIC FOR THE SPACE.

 COLLECTION PRIVÉE, 2007

WAZAWAI (ARMAGEDDON) – Commercial for the fragrance edited by S. Rodriguez, 2012
災い (Wazawai) means…. calamity. Soundtrack by MUSIC FOR THE SPACE.

 COLLECTION PRIVÉE, 2007

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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THE MESS AGE IS THE MESSAGE

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS

The post ARMAGEDDON appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.

An actual real 5 cents swiss coin from 1984 has been scanned in 3D to produce those sculptural elements.

This work commissioned by Josiane Imhalsy and Madeleine Schuppli for Pro Helvetia is installed for two years on the ancient building portal at Hirschengrabe in Zurich.

It has been crafted by a crew of fine artists in collaboration with TMF to obtain two giant tossing coins revolving in the wind. The figure appearing on the smallest Swiss coin is « Libertas » and this artwork stands for the actions made inside this building, promoting artists and generating diversity in conjunction with the Helvetic Confederation administration.

LIBERTAS LIBERTAS – two large tossing coins installed on Pro Helvetia’s headquarters portal in Zurich.

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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The post LIBERTAS LIBERTAS appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.

Public performance distributing money, Geneva train station, 15th of May 2019

SERVEZ-VOUS (HELP YOURSELF), public performance distributing money, Festival d’idées à but non lucratif, Geneva train station, 15th of May 2019

In Switzerland, giving away money – while wearing a black block burka made of diverse supporter flags – is illegal but yet quite some fun…

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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THE MESS AGE IS THE MESSAGE

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS

The post SERVEZ-VOUS appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.

Mobile sonic sculpture driving downtown during the ghetto biennale in Port-au-Prince

During the Ghetto Biennale 2017 in Port-au-Prince, The Montesinos Foundation and her accomplices have constructed a huge mobile sound system, proudly composed of used tires as the central eye-catching detail. When it comes to “upcycling”, one of the first things that immediately come to mind are used tires. This giant loudspeaker driving around town on a small three-wheeled scooter referes directly to the sound-system culture, which is well  known as one of the most appreciable ways of gathering a large diverse crowd into unity and fun. The rare opportunity of combining local DJs in conjunction with some of the biennal artists has been the essence of this sonic gathering monument. The sugarcane tips decorating the vehicle, held by very visible black cable-ties  -called “menottes démocratiques” or “democratic handcuffs” in haitian- are a reference to slavery, and the big straw hat worn by the driver is the symbol for Kouzen Zaka a.k.a. The voodoo God of Agriculture. The local hip-hop sound displayed during the rides through town aims to keep the strong awakening spirit going, as it is well known that the only good system is a sound system.

BLOCK PARTY AT THE “PAVIYON SWIS”

During the last evening of the biennale, the swiss crew organized a block party at the “Paviyon Swis” (spelled in kreyol) starring haitian musicians and international DJs from the Biennale. The party has been a blast! PA PA PAP PAP stands for “PArty at PAviyonSwis/ Port Au Prince/ PAs de Problème”.

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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(DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT)

Biennale des espaces d’art indépendants de Genève (B.I.G.), 2017

During the second BIG – Biennale des espaces d’art indépendants de Genève, 2017 – the EMBASSY OF WEEDS (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT) project has been launched officially in one of the sixty shipping containers where BIG takes shape.

EMBASSY OF WEEDS (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT) is an eco-activism concept that started in Berlin during a residency in 2005, when discovering an area fallow in Sebastianstrasse around the Denkmal, where the Wall used to stand. An amazing natural biotope has grown freely about 50 meters wide on both eastern and western sides where no new buildings had popped up yet.

EMBASSY OF WEEDS (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT) is the true friend of all weeds (or unweeds in german!) and tends to promote their spread.

Its mortal enemy is GMO and we actively fight against it by the side of Greenpeace and the March against Monsanto.

During BIG 2017, a tent has been installed on the container as the headquarters to perpetuate this botanical propaganda movement.

The urban guerrilla aesthetics were the main point of this container, proudly showing a giant inflatable green fist on its top, like some kind of angry sprout that would emerge from the earth and stating for “GREEN RIOT NOW”!

TMF branded germinated cobbles were offered to the visitors, proposing to wildly grow mixed varieties of local flora -including hemp, amongst them- by throwing them in any garden that looks too much like a carpet or any little earthy corners in the city, to help them go greener.

Opening party with Ladybruce (DJ), POL & Plastique de Rêve (live) on the Solar Sound System, partly operated by powering-bicycles.

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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THE MESS AGE IS THE MESSAGE

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS

The post EMBASSY OF WEEDS appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.

Interactive psycho-active installation inside a cargo container during the 2015 B.I.G. biennale in Geneva

This experience stands against Guantanamo audio torture methods. The public kneeled in the sand, in total darkness while listening to a 8 minutes heavy-metal riffs loop through loud headphones. Music by Francisco Meirino.

Made in collaboration with Amnesty, part of the “Stop Torture” action.

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

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THE MESS AGE IS THE MESSAGE

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS

The post THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.

This symbol made of 5 cents swiss coins has been reversed to signify that all the money used by the colonial and patriarchal entity known worldwide as the Catholic Church could eventually feed the world instead of its own luxurious image.

Pantone k 2013, curated by Collectif Kugler, Geneva

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

HOME OF TMF

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MAXIMA LVX VIRIDITATIS

PA-PA-PAP-PAP

BONFIRE OF POVERTY

UNION TMF 24/7

THE MESS AGE IS THE MESSAGE

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS

EnregistrerEnregistrer

EnregistrerEnregistrerEnregistrerEnregistrer

The post FEED THE WORLD appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.

Inflatable video installation, Mapping Festival 2011, Centre d’art contemporain, Geneva

YOUTRIBE – Elena Montesinos – The Montesinos Federation (TMF)

ARTWORKS

BONFIRE OF POVERTY,  MAXIMA LVX, SPOKESPERSON, DEC17TH, ARMAGEDDON, SERVEZ-VOUS, LIBERTAS LIBERTAS, HUMAN RIGHTS KARAOKE, WEED EMBASSY (DIE UNKRAUT BOTSCHAFT), FEED THE WORLD, YOU WIN, THIS IS NOT A LOVE SONG, BORDERLINE, IN LOVING MEMORY, ARM WRESTLING, PA-PA-PAP-PAP, SOUND OF THE SYSTEM, INFINITY, GOLDEN SHOWER, YOUTRIBE, COUNTERFEIT FOR PAGANS, XXX, ALIEN NATION, SAFT, HAPPY MONDAY, ERRATUM, DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT, HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE, OIL OIL OIL, PICKPOCKETS, FORTUNA, I WALK THE LINE, PIMP MY RIDE, LOVE IT.

THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION

HOME OF TMF

GET A NERVE! (2020)

GET A NERVE! (2019)

MAXIMA LVX VIRIDITATIS

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THE MESS AGE IS THE MESSAGE

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS

The post YOUTRIBE appeared first on THE MONTESINOS FEDERATION.