Julius von Bismarck POLIZEI, NNG, 2026
92,8 x 166,4 x 4 cm (framed)
POLIZEI, NNG by Julius von Bismark is a photograph documenting his performance work POLIZEI the morning after it was presented as part of Neue Nationalgalerie's Festival of Future Nows 2025.
The photograph depicts the iconic building designed by Mies van der Rohe, in front of which a group of what appear to be uniformed police officers are lined up.
During the performance itself, the same group of uniformed police officers appear assembled, their bodies shifting subtly – adjusting a shoulder, redistributing weight, or making slight gestures. Initially, these movements seem natural, suggesting a disciplined group holding still. Positioned so that visitors pass closely, the choreography encourages prolonged observation. At some point, the repetitive nature of the gestures becomes apparent – and reveals that not all figures are human but some appear to be mannequins. The work explores perception, simulation, and the uneasy boundary between the real and the artificial.