Anette Becker

Interview with the Artist

What led you to create Unresolved?

Becker: It was a long process and started three years ago, while I was working on ­another project called ”Relating”. ”Relating” consists of columns that symbol­ize individuals and families and their connections with each other. The columns are ­placed in a room to create an inter­connec­t­ed network of relation­ships … these connections are palpable when stepping into that ­space! Of course, these complicated relation­ships occur within societies also. Therefore, I created 49 more columns to represent the whole of a society. My interest lay in ­individual and societies’ painful ­experiences as victims of destruction and as ­perpetrators. An example is the destruction of Dresden … In my attempt to get a sense for the experiences myself, I destroyed my 49 columns! This put me in an emotional down­ward spiral of ­simultaneously ­feeling victimized and acting as the perpetrator of the ­destruction. I was exhaust­ed and had to stop eventual­ly. I felt no sense of relief however: the emotions of horror, anger, and fear remained. Then, I came across a picture of a completely destroyed ­Dresden. The ­picture shows an angel-like sculpture facing the city lovingly, with outstretched hand. ­Despite the fact that I was familiar with that picture, it struck me differently. I was able, momentarily at least, to see the city through the angel’s eyes: lovingly, rather than with intense feelings lingering on from my own project. This moment­ary view gave me a sense of relief for the first time after beginning this project! I realized that this ­different view could be the beginning of a healing process from horrific trauma … a glimpse of resolution of conflicting, painful emotions. Until this glimpse is available, unresolved emotions continue … thus the name. My instal­l­ation’s purpose is to facilitate a glimpse of that ­resolution. It does not matter which historical terrifying event I use in my work, Dresden or ­anything else: The resulting suffering for ­individuals and their society as a whole is universal. And that is my point.

What is the process, in your mind, that may lead to a glimpse of ­resolution for ­individuals? 

Becker: I would like to offer the possibility of a ­different perspective: Buried feelings can rise to the surface, explored thoroughly, without destroying the ­individual who is experiencing them! I believe that issues that are deeply buried in our unconscious must be realized and respect­ed before they can be resolved … the key here being that the in­dividual’s pain has to be heard, respected, and reflected, before she or he can move towards resolution. Otherwise, the issues will be transmitted from generation to generation in a distort­ed and destructive form.