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Otto Muehl, MATERIALAKTION WEIHNACHT 70, Aktionsgalerie Bern, 1970 (Invitation); Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Otto Muehl, MATERIALAKTION WEIHNACHT 70, Aktionsgalerie Bern, 1970 (Invitation); Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
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Otto Muehl, MATERIALAKTION WEIHNACHT 70, Aktionsgalerie Bern, 1970 (Invitation); Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Otto Muehl, MATERIALAKTION WEIHNACHT 70, Aktionsgalerie Bern, 1970 (Invitation); Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Otto Muehl, MATERIALAKTION WEIHNACHT 70, Aktionsgalerie Bern, 1970

Opening: December 16, 1970, 9 p.m.

Dimensions: 29.6 x 21 cm

Further Information: With an entry price of sixteen Swiss francs, this action by Otto Muehl granted access only to invited guests aged eighteen years or older and who could show the invitation upon entrance. The gallery highlights that the action will be breaking “hygienic, ethical and sexual taboos” and recommends that prospective guests inform themselves about Muehl’s art before coming to the show. Satirically deconstructing the perfect image of a happy, wholesome, and holy Christmas tradition, Muehl’s performance was intended to shock visitors with pure chaos and spontaneity.

ALW

Images: Images of the invitation and all other archival documents shown on this page are part of the online collection of Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

Otto Muehl

Otto Muehl, who often labelled his actions as “material actions”, here gives instructions to an action for Christmas. In this publication from 1967, published by ZOCK Press, are the instructions: “Drill a hole into the neighbour below and appear to him as the Christ Child.”

  • Otto Muehl, OMO SUPER, Publication, Vienna 1967 (Book) Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
    Otto Muehl, OMO SUPER, Publication, Vienna 1967 (Book) Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
  • Otto Muehl, OMO SUPER, Publication, Vienna 1967 (Book) Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
    Otto Muehl, OMO SUPER, Publication, Vienna 1967 (Book) Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

Otto Muehl often collaborated with other co-founders of the Vienna Actionist movement, including Günther Brus. They jointly published a manifesto on “Direct Art” in 1966.

"Direkte Kunst", Otto Muehl und Grünther Brus, Schneiderad Press,(Publication) Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Direkte Kunst, Otto Muehl und Grünther Brus, Schneiderad Press, (Publication) Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
"Direct Art Festival 1967", Otto Muehl und Grünther Brus, (program); Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Direct Art Festival 1967, Otto Muehl und Grünther Brus, (Program); Archiv der Avantgarden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden