The Dematerialization of the Art Object (for Kids)
In her essay The Dematerialization of the Art Object, Lucy Lippard presented evidence that art might be entering a phase of pure intellectualism, the result of which could be the complete disappearance of the traditional art object. Conceptual artists were devoted to making ideas the central focus of their work, and many argued convincingly that the objects artists make in order to express their ideas are nothing but waste products. Sure, but how to explain this to your kids? Thomas Geiger’s version brings Lippard’s thoughts into a poetic and yet easy to understand narration.
Booklet, saddle stitching, 21 × 21 cm, 8 pages Edition: 100, 2022, order here
Peeing in Public
Peeing in public is a battle, played out on fields economical, political, technological and sexual. Moreover, it is one battle fought continuously within sphere of gender; gender equality, gender identity and gender-based violence. The question of when, where and how is certainly a preoccupation for all kinds of people. These range from the Roman Emperor Vespasian, who discovered that there is money in urine; to Xi Jinping, who announced the Toilet Revolution; or Hillary Clinton, who upon returning late to a televised debate, simply stated “well, it takes women longer”.
Softcover, perfect binding, 10.5 × 14.5 cm, 96 pages Edition: 500, design: Astrid Seme, 2019, ISBN: 978-3-950452-59-4, order here
Bricks to Perform
A loose brick on the sidewalk might ‘ordinarily’ look random and displaced. However, they have within them hidden properties that can be activated: construction workers set them up as barriers, street vendors use them as weights for their products or pile them to sit on. As the day quietens down the stones are left behind; sometimes just randomly, othertimes carefully stored on a corner. What I couldn’t help but see were a never ending series of potential sculptures—performed daily as a result of practicalities that shift with each changing user.
Softcover, perfect binding, 10.5 × 14.5 cm, 64 pages Edition: 500, design: Astrid Seme, 2017, order here
Bilder aus der Denkmaschine
This book is a collection of Thomas Geiger’s Images from the Thinking Machine. On 160 pages texts, fotos and video stills give an overview of his daily practice: “Thinking Machine, this is what I call my construction of three revolving discs with about 50 adjectives and nouns each. Since 2008 I have been spinning the discs regularly before leaving the house. The resulting combination of words stays with me throughout the day and thus serves as a basis for my visualization in either a photo, an action, a video or the description of a situation.
Softcover, perfect binding, 13.5 × 19.5 cm, 160 pages Language: German/English, edition: 350, design: Astrid Seme, 2013, order here
What tree is that?
This publication tells us a story about two children who were talking about trees during a train ride:
“Is there a bottle-tree? No!
But when you place a bottle on a tree, it is a bottle-tree.”
Booklet, saddle stitching, 20.5 × 28.5 cm, 20 pages Edition: 350, 2013, order here
Insert Gas by Lawrence Weiner
This publication tells us a story about two children who were talking about trees during a train ride:
“Is there a bottle-tree? No!
But when you place a bottle on a tree, it is a bottle-tree.”
Booklet, saddle stitching, 14.5 × 21 cm, 12 pages Edition: 100, 2011, sold out
Optimism works both ways (with David Sherry)
Optimism works both ways, is a manual of performance ideas, drawings, scripts and plans, to be used for future projects. The collaboration incorporates a wide variety of different approaches, from re-enactments, static durational-sculptures, readings, actions, sound works and diary accounts. Many of the works in the book are starting points or sketches to be developed and explored as a live performance.
Booklet, saddle stitching, 22 × 28 cm, 32 pages Edition: 500, design: Thomas Geiger, 2013, order here
Ich habe mir von oben auf den Kopf geschaut / I looked on my head from above
Behind the associative sequence of short sentences written out of the First-Person-perspective a inventory is hidden with conceptual-narrativ works from several decades of art history.
“I cleaned the street. I cleaned and disinfected a street corner. I highly polished a subway rail. I paint balustrades in public space. I weed traffic islands. I clean street signs. I refurbish zebra crossings with white paint. I cleaned a public trash can. I restore holes in house walls with Lego stones. I plant trees in front of advertising panels …”
Folder with folded sheet, 21 × 29.5 cm, 4 pages Language: German/English, Edition: 100, 2012, sold out
Im Land der leeren Häuser & Meine allerliebsten Bäume
These booklets show a series of Geiger’s “book cover objects”, sculptural transformations of book titles and book covers into their literal meaning.
Im Land der leeren Häuser: 14.5 × 21.5 cm, 20 pp, edition: 100, 2010 (sold out)
Meine allerliebsten Bäume: 14.5 × 21.5 cm, 24 pp, edition: 350, 2011
Supermarket Series
Four publications which document actions in the supermarket chains ALDI, Hofer, Lidl and Billa: ➀ Unbemerkt Produkte zwischen ALDI und LIDL austauschen L, ➁ In Österreich heißt ALDI Hofer, ➂ Dienstplanalyse, ➂ Billa sagt der Hausverstand
Various dimensions, 2010–2013, all sold out
Bookstore Series
Two publications which document Geiger’s actions in the book stores.
Spiel und Zeitvertreib: 12.5 × 20 cm, 4 pp, edition: 100, 2010, sold out
Import Export: 10.5 × 16.5 cm, 8 pp, edition: 100, 2010, sold out
Pennerglück
A wrapped booklet that documents the following action: “Every day I place a fresh bottle of beer on the same bench.”
14.5 × 21 cm, 48 pp, edition: 80, 2009, sold out
One-day Publishings
The One-day publishings are a series of hand-written and hand-copied notebooks. They document random visual phenomena and ephemeral actions and are reproduced within one day.
11 booklets, various dimensions, editions: 40-55, 2009-2013