Luigi Ontani "Simulacrum est"

Ontani’s ‘tableaux vivants’ are static theatre pieces in which Ontani uses clothing and other accoutrements to dress up as figures from classical mythology, the Bible, the visual arts and literature. These stagings result in a performance and/or a photo. Music, literature and/or projections are also used. On 21, 22 and 24 November 1976, Ontani performed the Grillo (Cricket) ‘tableau vivant’ at De Appel. He was naked and blew on a narrow horn. Earlier ‘tableaux vivants’ and photo montages were projected on the room’s floor and walls. One of these was the Grillo, made with Ontani’s head and chest and with feet extending beneath. After the performance days were over, the projections became the exhibition Simulacrum est.