Selma Selman

Crossing the Blue Bridge & Mercedes Matrix

Part of “Every Day: Feminist Struggles in Post-Socialist Europe”

21.3., 18:00–23:00, 22.3., 16:00–22:00, 25.3., 17:00–22:00, 27.3., 18:00–22:30, 28.3., 18:00–22:30, 29.3., 16:30–19:00

  • Film
  • Installation
Bosnian /  English /  With English subtitles / 

A multidisciplinary artist and activist from a Roma background, Selma Selman describes herself as the “most dangerous artist in the world”. In her work, she explores the boundaries of identity, value creation, law, and representation that are imposed on her, her family, and her social environment. She draws inspiration from personal and family narratives as well as collective culture. As part of “Every Day”, HAU is showing two video works:

“Crossing the Blue Bridge” (2024) is about the lingering effects of historical trauma, care, courage, and resistance. Selman re-enacts a memory of the Bosnian war. She slips into the role of her mother, crossing the Alija Izetbegović Bridge in Bihać with her child on a ceasefire day in 1994. In her impressively performed texts, Selman combines this motif with mythological references to create a cross-generational heroine narrative.

In “Mercedes Matrix” (2019), Selman and members of her family dismantle a Mercedes Benz, a symbol of wealth and status in the Balkans and in many parts of the world. The devalued work of recycling scrap metal, how many socially disadvantaged groups make a living, becomes recognisable in Selman's performative actions and installations as a lasting perspective in the midst of European society.
 

Cast

“Crossing the Blue Bridge”: Regie, Text: Selma Selman / Produktion: Amra Bakšić Camo, Ishak Jalimam / Kamera: Almir Đikoli / Erste Regieassistenz: Luka Vlaho / Produktionsleitung: Haris Kamenčić / Produktionskoordination: Kristina Jeličanin / Erste Kameraassistenz: Edib Ahmetasević / Zweite Kameraassistenz: Skender Đikoli / Dritter Kameraassistent: Darko Vučić / Tonmeister: Nirvan Imamović / Produktionsassistenz: Amar Teskeredžić, Adi Zulović / Fahrer: Mirza Imamović / Produktionsdesign, Schnitt: Jon Perez, Chongha Peter Lee / Sounddesign: Jon Perez, Dauwd Al Hilali, Chongha Peter Lee / “Mercedes Matrix”: Schnitt: Chongha Peter Lee / Kamera: Marko Ilić / Thanks to: Center for Contemporary Art Sarajevo, K Light Sarajevo, Eho Doo, Adis Đapo, Nedim Branković, Safet Kutlovac, Sejdalija Kutlovac, Béla Tarr, Amila Ramovic, Radmila Petrovic, Sasha Tatic, Muhamed Selman, Sasha from USK TV

Dates

Past
  • Fri 21.3.2025, 18:00 / HAU2
  • Tue 25.3.2025, 17:28 / HAU2
  • Thu 27.3.2025, 18:00 / HAU2
  • Fri 28.3.2025, 18:00 / HAU2
  • Sat 29.3.2025, 16:30 / HAU2

Credits

“Crossing the Blue Bridge”
Production: Realstage, Antifragile agency. A commissioned work by: Röda Sten Konsthall, Schirn Kunsthalle, Capital of Culture Bad Ischl, Salzkammergut 2024 Gmbh, European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl. Thanks to: Center for Contemporary Art Sarajevo, K Light Sarajevo, Eho Doo, Adis Đapo, Nedim Branković, Safet Kutlovac, Sejdalija Kutlovac, Béla Tarr, Amila Ramovic, Radmila Petrovic, Sasha Tatic, Muhamed Selman, Sasha from USK TV.

Location

HAU2
Hallesches Ufer 34, 10963 Berlin

There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Four relaxed seats are available in the first row of HAU2.

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