Being There, Exhibition in Public Space, Linz 1996 Excerpt from the Catalog
Cheerful, joyful, dancing and spinning
Sisters, brothers
go and sow.
It tastes
on our glorious
landfill world.
Listen,
for here we tailor
spring voices.
The disabled have something so touching, yes touching, stirring, vibrant, for – who hasn't observed the enthusiasm and strength with which the disabled fight, defying fate, such that many so-called sensitive healthy people ought to be ashamed.
The example of the pianist Wittgenstein, who lost an arm, clearly shows the irony of fate: through this very loss, he gained uniqueness and originality. Friends composed piano pieces for him to play with one hand. A stroke of luck.
I saw people with Down syndrome dancing, with a joy of life that was contagious and rendered all pity absurd: Yes, the disabled indeed possess something impulsively stirring.
There have been, and still are, one-legged dancers, athletes who command our admiration. Disabled artists with immense expressive power. Important thoughts are shared, expressed, culinary delights presented, areas cleared, space claimed.
Disability is not prevention.
May the strength, power, as well as the favor, the luck that the capable need – be with you.
Staudinger, go on.
In heartfelt friendship
G. Wünsche