Games as a Way of Seeing
Exploring Carsten Höller’s World
“I would prefer not to be in this film,” Carsten Höller states, yet he finds himself the subject of a 20-minute documentary shot over a year and a half. Following his journey from Venice to London, Arles, and Basel, the film captures not just Höller but also his engaging interactions with notable personalities like Hans Ulrich Obrist and Jürgen Teller, all through the lens of the Polaroid 20×24, the world’s largest instant camera.
Produced by the Polaroid Foundation, The Carsten Höller Episode of The 20×24 Project offers a humorous glimpse into Höller’s world of games, many of which are detailed in his upcoming Book of Games. These games—though simple in concept—invite participants to remove their hesitations and engage more fully in the moment, thereby revealing the unpredictable outcomes of play.
image © Oliver Helbig
The Journey with a Giant Camera
Traveling through renowned art venues like Palazzo Diedo in Venice and the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, Höller’s approach centers around creativity and collaboration. Rather than relying on conventional interviews, the interactive games provide a platform for exploration, pushing the boundaries of dialogue and connection.
At the heart of this project is the enormous Polaroid camera, which transforms the experience of taking photographs into a theatrical event. Images captured during these playful encounters serve as evidence of the shared moments between Höller and his subjects, crystallizing experiences from his games at an unprecedented scale.
image © Oliver Helbig
Insights into Höller’s Life
The film also provides a more intimate look into Höller’s life, including a visit to his home in Stockholm, where around seventy birds reside. The crew also explores significant locations, such as the Moderna Museet and Brutalisten, the unique restaurant he established that focuses on singular ingredients.
Höller’s passion for games extends over decades, acting as a means to challenge conventional perceptions and behaviors. His Book of Games, set for release in 2024, is a compilation of participatory experiments, blending social and psychological elements with a touch of absurdity.
image courtesy The Polaroid Foundation
The Dynamics of Play
The documentary elegantly blends portraiture, interviews, and playful experimentation. Each photograph captures the essence of spontaneity, while the games set the stage for these encounters. Despite his initial reluctance to participate, Höller’s reluctance ultimately forms a rich tapestry of relationships, recurring themes, and ingenious scenarios that prod at the boundaries of human experience.
image courtesy The Polaroid Foundation
image courtesy The Polaroid Foundation
Through Höller’s lens, viewers are invited to witness the transformative power of play and collaboration—a compelling exploration of human interaction in art.
