Men That Fall

Deals with free falling masculinity, the repelling force of bodies, integrity and frailty, presence and stiffness. Distance as the means of integrity is presented through male stiffness – a stiffness that is easily brought down by getting too close, too intimate. Masculinity is interpreted as an image of authority that crumbles by the presence of the real. When the man falls, he has to keep his style - his posture. Fall stiff... like a tree. The hurt makes it pretty and loveable.

Men that fall is a study in movement – on the screen as well as in front of the screen. It is partly film, partly dance and installation. All in all, it is a series of men, impressive while they stand and then the total resignation of power while the fall and finally very human, when lying down.

In the first sequence a man is standing straight up, facing the viewer. Taking a step or two towards the screen triggers off the second sequence, where the man then looks at the viewer. The third sequence is triggered off by taking another step towards the screen (crossing the line, getting too close, too intimate), which makes the man fall down.

Left: Photo showing the installation of ‘Men That Fall’ at Bergvik’s shopping mall in December 2004. The shopping mall as a backdrop for responsive video was examined during the frenzy of Christmas commerce.. Right: Installation at Fylkingen in Stockholm.