Videoart at Midnight #52: Phil Collins

This Unfortunate Thing Between Us (TUTBU) is an alternative shopping channel selling real life experiences in place of the standard fare of cheap jewellery, lawnmowers and fitness equipment. Viewers are offered the chance to buy an experience and enact it live on stage the following night. First performed in Berlin over two consecutive evenings at Hebbel am Ufer Theatre, the programme was broadcast live on German television, temporarily transforming ZDFkultur into TUTBU.TV. On the first night a cast of actors demonstrated a selection of three experiences at the promotional price of €9.99 each — with a special discount for the unemployed, pensioners and students. Based on imaginary German fantasies, the offers included a Stasi-style interrogation, a role in a period-drama porn scene, or a death in a hospital bed surrounded by family and friends. The evening was structured through pitches and live phone-ins, and soundtracked by the in-house band featuring Welsh pop star Gruff Rhys and surf band Y Niwl.

On the second night the experiences were again brought to life, this time with three lucky buyers who had been selected to appear on stage in the leading roles. Exploring the as yet untapped potential of teleshopping, TUTBU.TV offers a glimpse into what could be the future of consumer television.

Videoart at Midnight #52 presents two complete episodes of the original event, with a short interval.

So kick back and enjoy TUTBU.TV — where more experience is not possible!

Starring: Matthias Matschke, Julia Hummer, Trystan Pütter, Susanne Sachsse, Sharon Smith, Niels Bormann, Judy Minx, Pau Pappel, Christian Kärgel, Marcel Schlutt, Pegah Ferydoni, and members of the public

Music: Gruff Rhys & Y Niwl

Videoart at Midnight #52: Phil Collins
Friday, Feb 7th, 2014, 24:00

artists:
Phil Collins

venue:
BABYLON Berlin