Omer Fast: Der oylem iz a goylem

Curated by Séamus Kealy, Director, Salzburger Kunstverein.

Known for films that blend fictional and documentary processes, Omer Fast has recently expanded his work to include architectural interventions that explore social issues and political topics. His new film, Der oylem iz a goylem, was shot in March 2019 in Salzburg and premieres at the Salzburger Kunstverein.

The exhibition
This exhibition includes three films installed in a theatrical mise-en-scène designed by the artist. Although worlds apart and speaking different languages, the first two films nevertheless evolve from the same medieval fairytale. Visitors will be presented with two case studies, seemingly distinct but sharing a common past and exhibiting similar symptoms. The film August will be installed separately in an autonomous gallery.

Installation 1
Der oylem iz a goylem
Single Channel Film, 2019

Based on a medieval Jewish fairytale, this film takes place on a ski lift in a mountain resort in the Austrian Alps. A lone skier accidentally drops her glove from the lift. As she curses her luck, a fellow passenger suddenly appears, dressed in the long black robes, the bead, side-locks and hat of an Orthodox Jew. Like any mountain spirit summoned by accident, this fellow passenger has his own agenda and story to tell. To the skier’s growing dismay, he is quite impolite, will not stop talking. In order to exorcise this ghost, the skier must resort to what she long thought suppressed and break up the boundaries separating the real world and fairytales.

This film was shot at the invitation of the Salzburger Kunstverein in various Salzburg locations in March 2019.

Installation 2
The Invisible Hand
VR film in 3D, 2018

Based on a different version of the same Jewish fairytale, this immersive 3D Virtual Reality film follows a young girl who recounts her family’s uncanny past in the People’s Republic of China. The girl’s father, much earlier as a child, discovers a finger poking out of the ground, desperately reaching out for a nearby ring. Tempted by the precious jewel, the boy’s better nature prevails and he carefully slips the ring onto the finger, before running off. From then on, the family receives neat bundles of cash on their doorstep, magically reappearing at regular intervals. Not knowing who their benefactor is, the family grows accustomed to the recurring gift and becomes prosperous. When the boy reaches adulthood and is about to wed, a mysterious guest arrives at the ceremony.

The Invisible Hand was shot in Guangzhou, China, and was commissioned by the Guangdong Times Museum in March, 2018, but was shut down by the local government after a few days. The reason given was that there are no more ghosts in China since the founding of the People’s Republic.

Installation 3
August
Single screen, 3D projection, 2016

Loosely inspired by August Sander’s life and work, the film follows the artist at the end of his life, nearly blind and unable to sleep. As he roams his house late at night, figures from the past briefly appear, mostly frozen and ghostlike. At times friendly and at times taunting, the figures eventually drive the artist into the night, where he seeks refuge in nature.

Der oylem iz a goylem
Producers & partners
Commissioned by the Salzburger Kunstverein.
Supported by James Cohan Gallery, New York, TARO NASU & Ishikawa Foundation, Okayama.

Special thanks to:
Privatklink Wehrle-Diakonissen, Salzburg
Salzburger Freilichtmuseum
Salzburger Landeskliniken
Schloss Leopoldskron, Salzburg
Skigebiet Werfenweng
Travel Charme Hotel, Werfenweng
Wiener Goldschmiedemuseum

Sunset Kino
Playing summer-long alongside this exhibition will be the renowned Sunset Kino, Austria’s only avantgarde outdoor cinema program. Inspired by Omer Fast’s exhibition, the theme this summer will be “Storytelling,” and one evening is curated by Omer Fast himself. See www.salzburger-kunstverein.at for dates and program.