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Along white lines

Performance · 2011-12
Single channel HD film with stereo sound · 4’53 · 2012 · Edition of 10 + 2 AP
5 photographs · Edition of 10 + 2 AP
Book · Along white lines Sylvia Schwenk with essay by Andrew Frost · 40 pages


Along white lines I, photograph by Sylvia Schwenk

Along white lines I · photograph · 2012

Watch the opening minute

What happens when a football crowd becomes the art?

At half time during the regional Aussie Rules Grand Final something odd happened. Men, women and children dressed head-to-toe in white overalls jogged single file onto the oval. The suits suggested an emergency but the behaviour was playful. The crowd watched. Children tried to kick balls at them.

Along white lines VI, photograph by Sylvia Schwenk

Along white lines VI · photograph · 2012

Along white lines V, photograph by Sylvia Schwenk

Along white lines V · photograph · 2012

The white-suited figures spread across the field. Some lay down tracing the lines of the goal square with their bodies and others stood arms stretched becoming the goal posts. As the crowd watched their bemusement turned to fascination. Their disbelief gave way to a feeling of permission and the crowd ran onto the field and lay down alongside the performers. Together they completely covered the white lines of the centre square.

Over 400 football fans became the work.

Along white lines II, photograph by Sylvia Schwenk

Along white lines II · photograph · 2012

Along white lines IV, photograph by Sylvia Schwenk

Along white lines IV · photograph · 2012

Extract from publication Along white lines

The relationship between the artist’s crew of 30 volunteer performers and the public becomes collaborative, the innocent action of lying on the ground one of definition. The football field is a codified space described by lines, distances and boundaries that, without the football teams, becomes a delimited space of possibility. Schwenk’s work is a democratic experience where every step of her process is open to the audience to engage, interact and direct the outcome.

Andrew Frost, Engage, Explore & Evolve, 2012, published in Along white lines — Frost is an art critic, writer and television broadcaster


Along white lines · opening minute · 2012

For collectors

Along white lines is available as a performance work, single-channel HD film, 5 photographs and a book. Works are a limited edition of 10 + 2 AP and start from €3,000 unframed.

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For galleries and curators

Along white lines is available for exhibition, screening, loan and re-performance. The book is available to accompany the exhibition. Proposals and studio visits are welcome.

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