Elsa Okazaki on Florentina Holzinger: 'She is an impressive person'

Performance artist Florentina Holzinger's work, particularly her "Seaworld Venice" installation at the Austrian Pavilion during the Venice Biennale, has garnered significant attention, often described as shocking or disturbing. However, a new photo book by Elsa Okazaki suggests the shock value is only superficial, offering a deeper look into Holzinger's artistic process over eight years.

Okazaki first met Holzinger in 2018 during a martial arts training session. "I was immediately impressed by the possibility she showed of overcoming self-imposed limits," Okazaki stated. Her photographic journey began with documenting Holzinger's productions, including "Seaworld Venice" and "Sancta" in Berlin, capturing the intense physical demands, as evidenced by Okazaki's own muscle soreness from training.

A pivotal moment for Okazaki occurred in 2022 when she traveled to Kyoto to document Holzinger's performance of "Tanz." This experience provided her with unprecedented backstage access, revealing the immense effort behind Holzinger's productions. "The open way of dealing with Holzinger's feminist performance art surprised me positively in Japan," Okazaki recalled, noting that this period also marked a turning point in her own relationship with the artist.

Okazaki describes Holzinger as an "impressive person" who plays with pain and danger, creating illusions rather than merely aiming to shock. The photo book compiles images from the past eight years, offering insights into the genesis and meticulously planned backstage operations of Holzinger's powerful and often challenging performances, providing a comprehensive visual record of her artistic evolution.