THE DECONSTRUCTION OF LUXURY

A Performative Reflection on Luxury

Winkhaus, a renowned artist known for her provocative and profound works, has made a strong social statement with her latest performance. By pushing a shopping cart filled with designer bags from Chanel, Hermès, and other luxury brands, along with Lidl bags filled with blankets through the streets, she created a powerful image of contrasts and contradictions.

Winkhaus' work draws from the tradition of conceptual art, as shaped by artists like Joseph Beuys and Marina Abramović. Beuys' idea of "social sculpture," where art is seen as a means of societal transformation, is clearly present in Winkhaus' performance. She uses the visual language of the street to draw attention to the gap between wealth and poverty, referencing Abramović’s work, which often explores personal and societal boundaries.

The luxury bags, symbols of status and wealth, lose their material value in Winkhaus' context and transform into trivial objects exposed to the daily reality of homelessness. This deconstruction of luxury recalls the works of Andy Warhol, who transformed everyday consumer goods into art, commenting on the commercialization of society. However, while Warhol celebrated the surface, Winkhaus digs deeper, revealing hidden stories and fates that are often overlooked.

By combining luxury goods with everyday objects like Lidl bags, Winkhaus creates a tension that raises questions about the value and perception of objects. This technique finds parallels in the works of Damien Hirst, whose use of everyday items and medical materials blurs the line between art and life.

Winkhaus' performance is not only a critique of consumer society but also an exploration of human existence and dignity. By portraying herself as homeless, she follows in the footsteps of artists like Vito Acconci and Chris Burden, who used their bodies as a medium to challenge societal norms. Winkhaus urges us to question our own prejudices and assumptions and recognize the complex realities often hidden behind the shiny facades of consumption.

This installation, with its complexity and layers, challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and question the deeper meaning of value and humanity. Winkhaus' work invites us to see the world with new eyes and recognize the invisible connections between luxury and poverty, consumption and existence, superficiality and depth.

At a time when social inequalities are becoming increasingly visible, Winkhaus offers a powerful and necessary reflection on the true values in our society through her performance.