Since the 1980s, he has been experimenting with various media but mainly with the possibilities of installation and action art.
Baren has been working almost exclusively in the medium of live performance for quite some time, and in this field, he is considered one of the most appreciated artists not only in Europe but also in the global art world. His multi-sensory work is based on research into the essence of very diverse cultural and political customs and images. Connecting them in a personal visual language, his presentations feel like shamanistic acts that bring about a heightened level of concentration and a raising consciousness. All this is further enhanced by an active interaction between the performer and people present. He always draws not only on the spatial qualities but also on political and historical contexts of the particular location where he is performing.
The current performance is specifically designed for the newly opened SNG building and for the concluding inaugural project of twelve exhibition situations, Prologue – 12 Colours of Reality.
"My performance is expressly connected to what I am experiencing at that moment as a creator. It is a direct experience, which in addition I can perform with common positions in unusual situations. I associate a performance with an action in front of people or passers-by, with a certain playful or painful distance between myself and the other; at the same time it is very important to create a three-dimensional and sensitory experience that completely surrounds everyone."
(Peter Baren in conversation with Bart Rutten)
