‘Doing Nothing’

To explore a state defined by negation

By Katya Ev

HOW

to deconstruct the idea of ‘doing nothing’ as losing time, as well as productivity as valuable?

WHAT IF

in a world where economic constraint dispossesses workers of a large part of their time, one would recognise free time as a class privilege?

IN WHICH WAY

could we overcome the social stigma associated with ‘doing nothing’ as a marginal pastime or procrastination?

…and instead see it as practicing inaction, refraining from accelerated productivity and as voluntary dissidence?

IS

money the ultimate measurement of symbolic value?

MAY

‘doing nothing’ be compared to a ‘bullshit job’, or trigger a ‘bore-out’?

CAN

‘doing nothing’ partake in everyday capitalism?

SHOULD

‘doing nothing’ and ‘nothingness’ have an objective, administrative existence recognised by the state?

HOW

to practice ‘doing nothing’ in the sense of ‘being’ and through the prism of a spiritual exercise: as a possibility to create a void, to experience inaction and be present to oneself?

WHAT IF

activating an inner space in deep connection to the self, while sitting quietly and ‘doing nothing’ would have a generative, emancipatory potential?

IN WHICH WAY

can ‘doing nothing’ be enacted concretely? …seen that strictu sensu, one cannot do nothing: our bodies require at least minimal activity, our heads at least minimal thought forming, our senses at least minimal perceptions captured?

WHY

to explore a paradoxical task defined by negation?

texts co-drafted with Jesse van Winden and Mélanie Weill for the performance Visitors of an Exhibition Space are Suggested to ‘Do Nothing‘ (2021)

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Ne rien faire contre rémunération 0487.412.403 multiple interventions in public space, Liège (Be), vinyl, A6 Conceived for the performance Ne rien faire contre rémunération [Doing nothing for payment], New Space, Liege (Be), 2022, curated by Dorothée Duvivier — Image by Aurélie Frankenne