Eva Weinmayr
Opinion Poll
Today's Question

car paint / laquer on aluminium, series of 7, 1250 x 940 mm, 2001/2003

"The series Opinion Poll, begun in 2001, has its origin in faxes which come repeatedly – and unsought – to my home. The faxes are sent out by a company pretending to poll opinions on different subjects. The company claims, that the results are presented to important politicians and institutions in order to influence their decision making. In fact the company charges people for faxing back the poll slips with a "YES“ or "NO“ – box ticked: a handsome profit is made by getting people to react. In order to obtain the maximum response – and therefore money – the company touches on questions that strike at the emotional heart of people: at what makes our society tick. The reduction to a "yes or no – option“ simplifies the choice. For a few seconds the recipients gains the power to decide to "kill“, to "stay in“ or "get out“ etc.

I selected the main parts of the poll slips, which have a relatively neutral appearance. I then altered dimensions, colours and developed the layout. The designs were then sprayed in highly elastic car paint on a variety of aluminium sheets: this was done in the workshop at Hebertshausen, near Munich, where the BMW – Williams F1 race cars are finished. I am keen to use a cutting edge technique for this work. By this particular approach to making works of art I hope to lead the viewers into the complex world hidden behind the questions on the faxes."

Eva Weinmayr, 2003

photo: Eva Weinmayr
The World's First Congress on Fork-Lift Trucks: Current Art and its Objectives
Atlantis Gallery, London
Fri 14th, Sat 15th, Sun 16th March 2003