Wossea Mtotom
In 1981 a project was implemented in the “Centre de Réadaptation” in Capellen (Luxembourg) which involved a group of artists working together with mentally challenged and physically disabled people. Two years later this collaboration resulted in a sequel project, which focused on the design of a small park, the “Garten von Wiltz”. Wossea Mtotom documented this collaboration: A loose sequence of snapshots which emphasize the relaxed interaction within the group; and it’s an attempt to use video less as a documentary tool and rather use it as a means of communication. “Not a report on the project, but rather a part of it” is how it’s described by its creators.
The camera moves in well-known territory from the outset (testament to that are the numerous winks of complicity into the camera and the seemingly natural staging); the film’s rhythm is characterized by long, patient observations: A game of cards turns into a detailed study of the players’ characters; getting up in the morning becomes a characteristic ritual; the numerous activities happening around the actual designing of the park... are edited into a filmic happening with a musical soundtrack. The game as concept of the mise-en-scéne is in the foreground of the cinematic adaptation of the “documentary” footage...
(Constantin Wulff)
