Exhibition Preview
“Entertainment in Public” is currently displayed at the Dayhim Art Society. This interdisciplinary art project focuses on the history of an “Object” and is based on the historical narrative of the guillotine as an instrument of capital punishment. Through this art project, the audience is confronted with an embodied experience of the guillotine and execution within a narrative installation.
01
Creators of Guillotine
The central feature of Room Number One is a guillotine toy comprised of life-sized pieces which, along with the executioner’s instruments, are given to the audience to be assembled. Instructions are provided showing how to assemble the pieces and complete the guillotine device. There is also a sound design which activates when the device is touched by audience members who want to assemble the toy.
JOSEPH-IGNACE GUILLOTIN
(1738-1814) was a French physician and politician who, in 1789, proposed the use of a device to carry out executions in France as a less painful alternative to existing methods. He authored a six-point statement on the necessity of respecting the human rights of dangerous criminals sentenced to death. Despite not inventing the guillotine and opposing the death penalty, his name became synonymous with the device.
CHARLES-HENRI SANSON
(1739–1806) was France’s official executioner before, during and after the French revolution. Serving over four decades, he was best known for his role during the Reign of Terror, executing thousands, including king Louis XVI and queen Marie Antoinette. Despite his grim job, he was notable for his professionalism and played a key role in advancing the use of the guillotine.
ANTOINE LOUIS
(1723-1792) played a pivotal role in the history of the guillotine. An esteemed 18th-century French surgeon and physiologist, Louis designed one of the earliest prototypes of the device, initially called a “louisette.” His design, influenced by the need for a more humane method of execution, involved a quick and efficient beheading mechanism. Although the guillotine ultimately became associated with French physician Joseph Guillotin, who advocated for its use as a compassionate form of capital punishment, it was Louis’s technical expertise and design that brought the concept to fruition.
TOBIAS SCHMIDT
a piano maker in the late 1700s, played a crucial role in the development of the guillotine, a device conceived to provide a more equitable and humane method of execution. Selected by Dr. Guillotin, who advocated for equal treatment of criminals in death, Schmidt was tasked with creating the decapitation device. Initially, Schmidt’s design featured a crescent-shaped blade, which proved ineffective. After King Louis XVI suggested a triangular blade for a cleaner cut, Schmidt revised the design. The updated guillotine was first tested on animals and then on humans, with its inaugural human victim being a thief and murderer.
Space number one: Creators of the guillotine
The central feature of Room number one is a guillotine toy comprised of life-sized pieces which, along with the executioner’s instruments, are suspended in the air. There is also a sound design which activates when the audience members walk around the suspended guillotine.
02
Space Number Two features thirty nostalgic televisions, each displaying a different video art piece. The arrangement of the TVs forms a rectangular entrance, with a gamepad positioned in the gateway of the room to play a 2D platform video game shown on the wall. The video game is designed specifically for the installation and incorporates themes of execution and the guillotine. Any audience member who decides to play the video game will be watched from behind by the other spectators. Additionally, two Walkmans play a sound loop in the room.
NICOLAS PELLETIER
Space number two: Unveiling of the apparatus
Space number two feature sthirty nostalgic televisions, each displaying adifferent video whichare game over screens through the video game history. The arrangement of the TVs forms a rectangular entrance, with a gamepad positioned in the gateway of the room to play a 2D platform video game shown on the wall. The video game is designed specifically for the installation and incorporates themes of execution and the guillotine. Any audience member who decides to play the video game will be watched from behind by the other spectators. Additionally, two Walkmans play a sound loop in the space
03
L’ami de Peuple Vs Death Angel
Space Number Three is a triangular space presenting two perspectives of notable paintings by Jacques-Louis David and Paul Baudry, depicting Jean-Paul Marat and Charlotte Corday from varying viewpoints. These figures, already introduced to the audience in a video essay, are brought to life with motion design to illustrate the scene of Marat’s killing by Corday. Additionally, sound tunnels are integrated to enhance the auditory experience in the room.
JEAN-PAUL MARAT
(1793–1743) was a key figure in the French Revolution, known for his radical politics and influential journalism. Originally a physician, he founded L’Ami du Peuple, a newspaper advocating for the rights of the common people and calling for revolutionary action. His aggressive rhetoric made him a hero to some and a target to others. Marat was assassinated in his bathtub by Charlotte Corday, who believed his death would bring peace to France. His murder only intensified revolutionary fervour, cementing his legacy as a controversial revolutionary icon.
Space number three: L'Ami du peuple versus death angel
Space number Three is a triangular space presenting two perspectives of notable paintings by Jacques-Louis David and Paul Baudry, depicting Jean-Paul Marat and Charlotte Corday from varying viewpoints. These figures, already introduced to the audience in a video essay, are brought to life with motion design to illustrate the scene of Marat's killing by Corday. And Marat's bathtub and his dead body projection is present in the scene. Additionally, sound tunnels are integrated to enhance the auditory experience in the room.
04
Icons Are Broken / Rumor Is Ruthless
Two sides of this space represent the last queen and king of France. On the king’s side, there is a Louis chair cut into two unstable pieces with a minor difference in height. On the queen’s side, there is an installation featuring a woman’s head atop a vertical steel pole. Her hair forms a cage, from which statues of crows/hands are seen moving around. The sound design includes whispering voices, which the audience can hear if they get close enough to the hidden small speakers.
LOUIS XVI
(1793–1754) was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Ascending to the throne in 1774, his reign was marked by financial turmoil and political strife. Despite attempts at reform, including efforts to modernize the French economy and support the American Revolution, his inability to manage the fiscal crisis and his resistance to radical change led to widespread discontent. The situation escalated, culminating in the French Revolution. Louie was executed by guillotine in January 1793, symbolizing the end of absolute monarchy in France and the rise of the revolutionary republic.
05
A Woman Beyond Her Time
This room is dedicated to Olympe de Gouges, who was executed by the revolutionary government of France for advocating women’s rights. Inside the room, there is a box containing a dozen hanging hair clippers, only two of which are functional. In front of this box, there is a stairway with a microphone stand, at the end of which the wire is cut. Using recording technology, the sound of the working hair clippers is played through a hidden speaker in the room.
OLYMPE DE GOUGES
born in 1748 to a bourgeois family in southern France, was one of the few women who managed to fund her own education. Forced into an unwanted marriage at 17, she moved to Paris at 19 after her husband’s death with her son. Opposed to marriage, which she saw as the graveyard of love and trust, de Gouges became famous for her anti-slavery play, though it was banned for its radical stance. She directly petitioned Marie Antoinette, bypassing the king, for greater attention to women’s issues. Initially supportive of the French Revolution, de Gouges soon criticized its maledominated atmosphere and lack of women’s rights, creating a parody of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, rephrasing it as the Declaration of the Rights of Woman. She famously stated that if women could climb the scaffold to be executed, they should equally be able to address public forums. After critiquing the revolutionary government and Robespierre, she was arrested, denied a defense, and executed by guillotine on November 3 ,1793.
Space number five: A woman beyond her time
This room is dedicated to Olympe de Gouges, who was executed by the revolutionary government of France for her vehement writings against the government. Inside the room, there is a box containing a dozen hanging hair clippers, only two of which are functional. In front of this box, there is a stairway with a microphone stand, at the end of which the wire is cut. Using recording technology, the sound of the working hair clippers is played through a hidden speaker in the room
06
The Iast Portrait
This room is dedicated to André Chénier’s final poem before his execution. Following the provided instructions, the audience will encounter a downward-facing hole. Inside, they will see a live video from a CCTV camera positioned above, showing their neck from a rear view. Subtitled in the video is Chénier’s last poem: “You who see my portrait, I am executed now.»
ANDRÉ CHÉNIER
a political poet born on 30 October 1763, gained recognition as a translator of classical literature and became acquainted with figures like Antoine Lavoisier and Jacques-Louis David in his mother’s literary circle. Although he supported the French Revolution, he believed in a constitutional monarchy and often criticized the political situation through his poetry. Chénier was mistakenly arrested at a party and Robespierre, recognizing him from his poems in the Paris newspaper, ordered his execution. Chénier was guillotined on 25 July 1794, at the age of 31, just two days before Robespierre’s own execution. During his imprisonment, he secretly sent his poems to his family, becoming one of the last victims of the Reign of Terror, narrowly missing his chance at freedom.
Space number six: The last portrait
This room is dedicated to André Chénier’s final poem before his execution. Following the provided instructions, the audience will encounter a downward-facing hole. Inside, they will see a live video from a CCTV camera positioned above, showing their neck from a rear view. Subtitled in the video is a poem: “You who see my portrait, I am executed now.”
07
The Perpetual Gaze
This room is dedicated to Antoine Lavoisier’s passion for experimentalism. A conveyor belt, lifts a transparent orb containing a GoPro camera and places it onto a rail, initiating perpetual motion. The POV footage” from the camera within the moving orb is displaying on the wall.
ANTOINE LAVOISIER
born on 27 August 1743, was a pivotal figure in chemistry, known for discovering the nature of oxygen. He initially gained recognition with a gold medal from Louis XVI for his work on urban lighting. After funding his scientific endeavors through tax revenues from farmers, the French Revolution led to the confiscation of his assets. Arrested with 27 other tax collectors, Lavoisier was swiftly executed. According to rumors, his final experiment involved measuring consciousness after decapitation, instructing an assistant to count his blinks post-guillotine.
Space number three: L'Ami du peuple versus death angel
Space number Three is a triangular space presenting two perspectives of notable paintings by Jacques-Louis David and Paul Baudry, depicting Jean-Paul Marat and Charlotte Corday from varying viewpoints. These figures, already introduced to the audience in a video essay, are brought to life with motion design to illustrate the scene of Marat's killing by Corday. And Marat's bathtub and his dead body projection is present in the scene. Additionally, sound tunnels are integrated to enhance the auditory experience in the room.
08
A Complicated Idealist
This room features three headless mannequins dressed in period costumes, with an LED screen displaying moving emoji faces. A skylight box is in the ceiling, with a blade resembling that of a guillotine hanging from it. The audience would only be able to see the blade if they stand directly below it.
MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE
was a radical Jacobin who became a prominent figure during the French Revolution. Influenced by the ideas of Jean- Jacques Rousseau, Robespierre advocated for democracy, deism, and civic rights. He attempted to consolidate his power further, but was instead denounced by the National Convention. In the ensuing confrontation, Robespierre was wounded, likely by an accidental gunshot, and was subsequently arrested and sentenced to death. He was guillotined on 28 July 1794, with his face severely disfigured, in front of a crowd that had once hailed him as a savior of the revolution.
Space number eight: A complicated idealist
This room is dedicated to Maximilien Robespierre, which features three headless mannequins dressed in period costumes, with an LED screen displaying moving emoji faces. A skylight box is in the ceiling, with a blade resembling that of a guillotine hanging from it. The audience would be able to see the blade if they stand directly below it and they can hear special music under the suspended blade.
09
The Entertaining Skull
Representing Henri Landru’s story, this room features a table with bloody handkerchiefs and a cast head, which is also a piggy bank. The handkerchiefs come with a special certificate and are available for purchase by the audience.
HENRI DÉSIRÉ LANDRU
(1922–1869), infamously known as the “Bluebeard of Gambais,” was a notorious French serial killer active in the early 20th century. He preyed on wealthy widows, enticing them with marriage proposals before ultimately killing them and incinerating their remains in the stove of his villa. Initially, his crimes went unnoticed, but growing suspicions from the victims’ families led to his arrest in 1919. The sensational trial that followed mesmerized the French public, culminating in Landru’s conviction for 11 murders and his execution by guillotine in 1922. Post-execution, his skull was examined and is now on display at the Museum of Death in Hollywood
Space number nine: The entertaining skull
Representing Henri Landru’s story, this room features a table with bloody handkerchiefs and a cast head, which is also a piggy bank. The handkerchiefs come with a special certificate and are available for purchase by the audience.
10
A Blade That Will Fade With Its Descent
The tenth room represents the abolishment of public executions in France. It is designed as a long hallway leading to a chamber where a suspended 2x2 meter concrete box is placed on the wooden base of a guillotine apparatus. The concrete box hovers and moves on the base.
EUGEN WEIDMANN
(1950–1905) was a notorious German serial killer whose gruesome crimes in the early 20th century shocked France and the world. After moving to France, Weidmann committed a series of murders between 1937 and 1938, targeting young women and men, often robbing them before killing them. His capture in 1939 led to a sensational trial that revealed the horrifying details of his actions. Weidmann›s trial was one of the last to be conducted under the guillotine in France, and his execution in 1950 became infamous, as it was broadcasted live on radio, marking a significant moment in the history of crime reporting.
Space number ten: A blade that will fade with its descent
The tenth room represents the abolishment of public executions in France. It is designed as a long hallway leading to a chamber where a suspended 2x2 meter concrete box is placed on the wooden base of a guillotine apparatus. The concrete box hovers and moves on the base.
11
Those Who Will Stand Out
In room eleven, dedicated to Sophie Scholl and Johann Reichhart there is a bodybuilding machine equipped with mechanical weights resembling a guillotine. When an audience member pushes down the weight, a window opens, revealing a mirror in which they see themselves. Simultaneously, in the corridor behind the mirror, other audience members would see the face of the person who is pushing the weight.
SOPHIE SCHOLL
(1943–1921) was a courageous German student and anti-Nazi political activist, best known for her role in the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group during World War II. Alongside her brother Hans and other students from the University of Munich, Sophie distributed leaflets that condemned the Nazi regime and called for passive resistance against its oppressive policies. Her unwavering commitment to justice and truth, despite the grave risks, exemplified her moral courage. In February 1943, she was arrested by the Gestapo after being caught distributing leaflets at her university. Following a swift trial, Sophie was executed by guillotine at the age of 21.
Space number eleven:
Those who will stand out In room eleven, dedicated to Sophie Scholl and Johann Reichhart, there is a bodybuilding machine equipped with mechanical weights resembling a guillotine. When an audience member pushes down the weight, a window opens, revealing a mirror in which they see themselves. Simultaneously, in the corridor behind the mirror, other audience members would see the face of the person who is pushing the weight.
12
This room is attributed to Hamida Djandoubi, the last person to be guillotined in France in 1977, who famously requested cigarettes before his execution and delayed smoking them to save a few minutes before death. In this room, there is a jackpot machine that dispenses cigarettes as a reward by chance to anyone who tries it.
JOHANN REICHHART
HAMIDA DJANDOUBI
was a notable German executioner during the Nazi regime, known for his role in carrying out death sentences, including those of political dissidents and members of resistance movements. Born in 1905, he became the chief executioner in Bavaria and was responsible for the execution of numerous individuals, including members of the White Rose resistance group, such as Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans. Reichhart›s profession placed him at the center of the moral complexities of the era, as he grappled with the implications of his work amidst the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime.
was a Tunisian man who became the last person to be executed by guillotine in France, marking a significant moment in the history of capital punishment. Convicted of murder in 1971, Djandoubi›s case drew attention not only for its brutality but also for the broader implications it had on discussions surrounding the death penalty. His execution on 10 September 1977, in Marseille, occurred during a period of growing opposition to capital punishment in France, which would eventually lead to its abolition in 1981.
Space number twelve: The Fall of Guillotine
This room is attributed to Robert Badinter and Hamida Djandoubi, the last person to be guillotined in France in 1977, who famously requested cigarettes before his execution and delayed smoking them to save a few minutes before death. In this room, there is a jackpot machine that dispenses cigarettes as a reward by chance to anyone who tries it.
Unveiling Of The Apparatus
CHARLOTTE CORDAY
was a figure of the French Revolution who assassinated revolutionary and Jacobin leader Jean-Paul Marat. She visited Marat at his home, where he often stayed in a bath due to a skin condition and stabbed him with a knife. Corday believed that killing Marat would save thousands from execution. She was executed by guillotine on 17July1793
MARIE ANTOINETTE
(1793–1755) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution, originating from the royal family of Austria. Married to Louis XVI at the age of 14, she became a divisive figure in French society. Known for her extravagant lifestyle and rumored indifference to the plight of the common people, she was often blamed for France’s financial problems and political instability. As the revolution gained momentum, her position became increasingly precarious. After the monarchy was abolished, she was imprisoned, tried for treason, and executed by guillotine in October 1793. Shockingly, her execution was based on rumors instead of any concrete evidence.
The Fall Of Guillotine
ROBERT BADINTER
was a prominent French lawyer, politician, and advocate for human rights, best known for his pivotal role in the abolition of the death penalty in France. Born on 30 March 1928, Badinter served as Minister of Justice from 1981 to 1986 under President François Mitterrand. His passionate arguments against capital punishment culminated in the historic law abolishing the death penalty in 1981, marking a significant shift in French legal and moral philosophy.
