AGAINST THEATRE

material action is painting that has spread beyond the picture surface. The
human body, a laid table or a room becomes the picture surface. Time is
added to the dimension of the body and space. The material action works
with symbols (its difference from theatre), which in themselves constitute a
storyline, a consecutive series and mingling of symbols as self-existing
realities. Thet do not aim to explain anything, they are what they appear to
be, a reality that transpires on its own terms. Slicing a cucumber over a human
body means nothing more than what occurs, requires no explanation and
speaks for itself.The fact that one will think one’s own thoughts is
understandable. Performaing any normal occurrence before an audience
voids the occurrence of propouse, transforms it into a material action. A
person is not treated in the material action as a person but as a body. The
body, things, are not viewed as objects for our purpose, but have all purpose
radically removed from them.everything is understood as form. The human
being is not seen as human being, a person, but as a body with certain
properties. Material action extends reality. (OTTO MUEHL)