World Trade Center2006 Moukarbel makes site-specific video and installations, often using found media or objects as his sources. His projects explore the idea of memorial, and are concerned with the way in which political events are edified. World Trade Center is an adaptation of an extract of the screenplay of Oliver Stone?s forthcoming film. The video was made entirely in the artist?s studio using student actors and then released on the internet, intentionally pre-empting Stone?s film release in August 2006. It describes the relationship between two firemen caught in an inescapable situation, stuck in the rubble of the World Trade Center. The dialogue between them reveals their admiration and professional respect for one another, and is completely out of synch with their present circumstances. Moukarbel offers a glimpse into human behaviour at a time when death is imminent, making it seem perversely futile.
UPDATE
Artist Chris Moukarbel is being sued by Paramount for allegedly using bootleg scripts of Oliver Stone?s 9/11 film - due to be released this August - to make a ?poor-quality copy? and post it on the Internet.
The artist is currently restrained from showing or distributing the work ?World Trade Center 2006?.
Witte de With will not remove the work from public viewing and continue showing it as part of the exhibition.
Articles in the last few days: Washington Post, 21 June - Studio Sues Over Internet Film Based on Stone?s Script
Guardian, 23 June - Studio sues student over 9/11 film
New York Post Online Edition, 22 June - Oliver Stone 9/11 Film Suit
The Associated Press, 23 June - Paramount Sues over 9/11 Internet Film
CBC, 24 June - Student sues by studio over alleged Oliver Stone script
Daily News, 22 June - NYer sued in WTC rip-off
Biography
Chris Moukarbel
(New Haven, USA, 1978)
Chris Moukarbel lives and works in New Haven and New York.
