In his work, Sam Hopkins (*1979) repeatedly explores what it means to be part of a society. In Die Dauercamperin, he observes a societal trend towards encapsulation in small groups that provide for themselves. In doing so, he explores and questions the potential and the dilemma that results from the political action of the individual.
In the parking lot, next to the austere, neoclassical building of the vacant Hoesch administration building, Hopkins stages a homage to Lena Bauer, a fictional character who lived her life in a camper van community on this plot of land. A lone caravan speaks of this past.
From the veranda of this caravan visitors can experience an installation that narrates the political discussions and emotional arguments of Lena and her partner Holger. Audio fragments evoke a near future in which Europe has lost its economic supremacy, the state has put power in the hands of private business, and unbridled populism has long been the norm. Many people distance themselves from the state and whole neighbourhoods become settled by autonomous DIY communities. But even within their community Lena and Holger have radically different views regarding the political future and the potential of their community.
Yet this installation is no retrospective documentary, but part of a particular celebration of Everyday Heroes commissioned by a tech company in this fictional future.
Sam Hopkins is sponsored by the Visit-Stipendium of the innogy Stiftung für Energie und Gesellschaft and by the Kunststifung NRW.
- Festival
The installtation Die Dauercamperin was developed as part of the exhibition Ruhr Ding: Territorien and was on view from May 4—June 30, 2019 at the parking lot of the former Hoesch-Verwaltungsgebäude.
