Milena Büsch at Felix Gaudlitz

Artist: Milena Büsch

Exhibition title: Auto Freizeit Motor Sport

Venue: Felix Gaudlitz, Vienna, Austria

Date: November 4, 2022 – January 7, 2023

Photography: kunst-dokumentation.com / Courtesy the artist and FELIX GAUDLITZ, Vienna

Physical self-harm has various origins and intentions: rituals, delusion, autoaggression, etc. Psychology sees in deliberate self-harming behavior less, as often assumed, a call for help to the outside than the possibility of a relief, a liberation of the head belonging to the person, which, for example, is under constant tension and in which calm never comes.

Through the physically inflicted pain that for a fraction of a second allows a break from oneself, distracts, tricks the head, the brain – relaxation –

Therapeutic approaches are many. One possible method are rubber bands around the wrist, which, when snapped, are supposed to allow this brief pause in the mind without causing permanent damage. A similar experience I had recently with Baywatch.

I was in a phase when sleep wasn‘t working and getting rest was not an option. Baywatch, or more specifically Shauni (Erika Eleniak), became my solution for the next few weeks. Something about her and her red swimsuit was so poised, symmetrical and relaxing. With the second season, Shauni came with silicone, as was the fashion on Baywatch in the early 90s. Nothing was balanced and relaxing anymore! My insomnia set in again. I really don‘t have anything against self-destruction, it just has to be absolutely intentional and not a botch job.

And painting? Painting is also a kind of self-destruction, in any case causing injury. Life as a rubber band probably would have been more efficient. With real purpose!

Then I would certainly not have become a chain smoker, but would only have picked up a cigarette now and then for pure pleasure.

Milena Büsch, Auto Freizeit Motor Sport, 2022, exhibition view, Felix Gaudlitz, Vienna

Milena Büsch, Adel privat, 2022, Oil on magazine page, ca. 28.5 × 22.5 cm (approx. 11.220 × 8.858 in)

Milena Büsch, Auto Freizeit Motor Sport, 2022, exhibition view, Felix Gaudlitz, Vienna

Milena Büsch, Freizeit, 2022, Oil on magazine pages mounted on cardboard, artist‘s frame, 144.8 × 111.3 cm (57.001 × 43.819 in)

Milena Büsch, Auto Freizeit Motor Sport, 2022, exhibition view, Felix Gaudlitz, Vienna

Milena Büsch, Auto Motor Sport, 2022, Oil on magazine pages mounted on cardboard, artist‘s frame, 142.8 × 110.8 cm (56.220 × 43.622 in)

Milena Büsch, Auto Freizeit Motor Sport, 2022, exhibition view, Felix Gaudlitz, Vienna

Milena Büsch, Adel aktuell, 2022, Oil on magazine page, ca. 28.0 × 22.0 cm (approx. 11.023× 8.666 in)