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Terms of endearment (2007)

Video still 1

From the Perfect Human Series (2005- 2008)

Date: 2007

Medium: Single channel Video Loop on DVD with signed letter to OMO

Duration: 3min 49sec

Edition: 20 with a series of unique state video stills also available through Gallery Barry Keldoulis

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The OMO Mailbag
Freepost Address
Kwazulu Natal
Durban
South Africa
4000
15 May 2007

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have had a ‘great experience’ with OMO Multi Active Washing Powder. Please find enclosed a short DVD (4min39sec) detailing this wonderful encounter.

For ever so long I have felt dirty and dejected. My thoughts have constantly veered to the dark side – swearing like a trooper, having outrageous sexual fantasies, desiring the overthrow of the establishment and generally thinking about death. But no longer. I have thoroughly cleansed myself with your product. I must say though that it tastes awful though (fortunately I had some Champagne on hand to wash away the aftertaste and to celebrate my newfound lease on life). Now my life seems worthwhile, and I have an added spring in my step. Wherever I go people notice the difference.

However, should say that the OMO Toll-free Helpline wasn’t helpful at all. But I guess that is the wonder of our brave new world. We can help ourselves. Thus after carefully following your instructions for use in a frontloading machine, I decided that, for such severe filth as pervades my being, one scoop simply wouldn’t do. I am happy to report that a whole 1kg box seems to have done the trick (for now anyway).

Rest assured that I am not an idiot or a madman: I know that this product is meant for use in a machine! But after having read so much contemporary philosophy and socio-political theory I cannot help but experience my body as a mechanical gadget simply in service of the state, capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism and god knows what or who else.

So as long as I keep on having dirty thoughts I am going to keep loading my machine with your product! I am really committed to being a well-adapted, fully functional citizen.

If you ever need anyone to testify to the power of OMO washing powder, know that I am your man.

Yours truly

Johan Thom

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Installation view, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT 2007 – THE PERFECT HUMAN SERIES. Single channel Video Loop on DVD with signed letter to OMO. 3min 49sec. Edition of 20. Solo exhibition ‘Becoming, Binding and Disappearing’, Iwalewa Haus (The Africa Research Center of the University of Bayreuth), Bayreuth, Germany

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      • …other performances
    • VIDEO/INSTALLATIONS
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      • Blood Rites/ eat your words (2010)
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      • Illumination | 2010
      • Panopticon (2009)
      • Outpost 4 (2008)
      • The Theory of Displacement (2008)
      • Challenging Mud (After Kazuo Shiraga) (2008)
      • Terms of endearment (2007)
      • The Ascension (2007)
      • Birth of a Tyrant (2007)
      • The Theory of Flight (2006)
      • The Theory of Evolution (2006)
      • The Minotaur Series 12 (2005)
      • The Labyrinth (2004)
      • Violence and Happiness (2003)
      • The Pencil Test Series (2003)
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      • Vessel: Perfect Lovers (2009)
      • Philistine rules/ Did you know? (2007)
      • Looking for Lucy (2007)
      • The OK Revolution (2007)
      • Molotovmammas (2007)
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      • words oft error (2005)
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    • ABOUT
      • Press
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        • The ghosts wish to remember: Interview with Petra Zemljič (2010)
        • Johan Thom interviewed by Sarah Claire Picton (2009)
        • Interview with Peter Machen (2008)
        • Radio Papesse Interview as part of ‘.za: Young Art From South Africa’ (2008)
        • Interview with David Koloane (2007)
        • Interview with Willem Boshoff (2006)
        • Interview with Carine Zaayman (2003)
      • Authored
        • Kendell Geers at the Steven Friedman, London
        • Life intimidating art, The Diplomat, Sept/Oct 2007
        • Roger Ballen at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, 2007
        • The sleeping monster produces reasons : Diane Victor
        • Santu Mofokeng (2010)
        • The sense of fresh air (2010)
        • Taming the Trojan Horse: Disarming the Politics of Otherness in a Postcolonial (African) Context
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