Video, DVD, Mini DV, 1:42 min, 16:9, sound, 2008
In the video performance “How to Clean a Puddle”, artist Roland Wegerer transforms a simple, childhood gesture into a profound act of contemporary media art. By repeatedly and excessively jumping into a puddle, Wegerer pushes a playful act—one that typically ends after just a few jumps in childhood—to its absolute conclusion. In doing so, he not only revisits a universal memory but also elevates it to the realm of artistic investigation, completing what is usually left unfinished in our early years.
As the performance unfolds, water, mud, and the artist’s black clothing interact in unexpected ways. The splashing and swirling of these materials generate fleeting sculptural forms—temporary, dynamic, and ever-changing. These short-lived sculptural qualities stand in stark contrast to the social definitions and expectations associated with cleanliness, order, and adult behavior. The black clothes, typically a symbol of formality and control, become canvases for chaos and transformation, directly opposing their societal meaning.
This radical engagement with the puddle is a prime example of Wegerer’s concept of expanded sculpture. Here, the sculptural object is not static, but rather emerges from the interaction of body, environment, and media. The performance is documented through video and photography, further expanding the work’s reach and inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences with play, boundaries, and societal norms.
In “How to Clean a Puddle,” the act of jumping becomes an immersive, interdisciplinary experience that blurs the lines between performance, sculpture, and video art. Wegerer’s creativity and innovative spirit—summed up in his motto, “Creativity is my drive, innovation my passion”—are evident throughout the work. By embracing the messiness of the process and the unpredictability of the outcome, he challenges us to reconsider the value of play, the meaning of cleanliness, and the possibilities of contemporary art.
Ultimately, this performance is more than a nostalgic return to childhood; it is a dynamic exploration of identity, memory, and the transformative power of art in everyday life.
