Latest update: 21/04/2008 

- exhibitions - Germany


German artist wants to turn last breath into art
German artist wants to turn last breath into art
German artist Gregor Schneider caused something of a stir by suggesting he would exhibit a dying person as a means to "come to terms with death." The 39-year-old made a name for himself in 2001 by winning the Berlin art festival award.

German artist Gregor Schneider wants you to die. But not just anywhere -- he wants you to draw your last breath in an art gallery to make us less scared of the moment that awaits us all.

"Unfortunately today, death and the road to death are about suffering. Coming to terms with death as I plan it can take away the pain of dying for us," the 39-year-old artist told the online edition of daily Die Welt.

"An artist can contribute something to this issue by building humane places for death where people can die with dignity."

This final performance cannot be from just anyone, however. It has to be someone who has a lot of common with Schneider and who understands his intentions, he told the newspaper.

"The dying person would arrange everything beforehand. He will be the focus. Everything will happen with the agreement of relatives. It would be a private atmosphere with rules about visitors," he said.

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