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Joseph Beuys «Felt TV»
Joseph Beuys, «Felt TV» Shown in TV broadcast 'Identifications', 1970
Videostill | ©
Beuys concludes the action by turning round the TV set so that the felt-covered screen is now facing a panel of felt hanging on the wall. For Beuys, this felt panel is 'another picture on the wall. Namely another picture devoid of information,' just like the felt-covered TV screen. The final situation is the juxtaposition of 'felt picture and felt screen', which neutralize each other. Beuys leaves the two objects in this position when he leaves the action space.


 Joseph Beuys
«Felt TV: Shown in TV broadcast 'Identifications'»

As a contribution to Gerry Schum's 'Identifications', Beuys adapted for television the 'Felt TV' action previously staged for a live audience at a Happening festival in Copenhagen in 1966. It was the only Beuys action executed specifically for the camera. It opens with Beuys seated in front of a TV set showing a programme which is invisible because the screen is covered by felt. The boxing-gloves used later in the action lie at the ready beneath his chair.