A Crime Against Art is based on a trial staged at an art fair in Madrid in February 2007. The trial, inspired by the mock trials organized by André Breton in the 1920's and 30's, playfully raised a number of polemical issues in the world of contemporary art: collusion with the "new bourgeoisie", instrumentalization of art and its institutions, the future possibility of artistic agency and other pertinent topics. The trial begins with the assumption that a crime has been committed, yet its nature and evidence are allusive and no victims have come forward. The testimonies and cross-examinations become an attempt by the Judge to unravel the nature of the mysterious "crime against art". Set as a television courtroom drama and filmed by four camera crews, the six-chapter serial presents a condensed 100 minutes version of the trial.
Production: unitednationsplazastudios, Berlin
Director: Hila Peleg. Based on the 'Madrid Trial' by Anton Vidokle and Tirdad Zolghadr
Camera: Michel Balague, Eric Menard, José Joaquin Silva Sevilla, Angel Castillo Pascual
Editors: Eric Menard, Hila Peleg
Cast: Anton Vidokle, Tirdad Zolghadr, Vasif Kortun, Chus Martinez, Charles Esche, Jan Verwoert, Maria Lind, Anselm Franke, Setareh Shabazi, Keti Chukrov, Barnaby Drabble. Special contribution: Liam Gillick
Format: DV PAL, 4:3, Color
Running time: 100 min.
Language: English
