"As  P O I NT L E S S _ as my life." (Visitor)


Seven-week installation of a green door with coin-operated lock, part of an exhibition at the cultural center ?cuba?.


The door is located right in the middle of the sidewalk. It can be accessed from only one side.  Passing through it costs 10 cent per person.  A sign affixed to the door explains the rules of door engagement and etiquette.  The sign furthermore conceals a radio camera, which transmits recorded images to the exhibit room.  According to the affixed sign, all proceeds goes exclusively toward the door?s maintenance.

On weekends, cuba runs a disco club, whose entrance faces the green door.  A bouncer tells a story of a patron who leaves cuba and encounters the green door.  After contemplating his options for a long while, he chucks a 10 cent coin into the lock and proceeds through the door.  When the door shuts behind him, he comments: ?As pointless as my life.?

After just three days, the door feels pressure from public officials to change location.  Because it allegedly obstructs traffic, the door is threatened to be removed immediately and disposed of through standard municipal procedures.  Referencing its right to freedom of artistic expression, the door evades capture and moves to Berliner Platz, near the train station.

There, after four weeks, the door is kicked by violent youths to great damage. Thanks to the alarm of a homeless person, as well as to the video footage, the perpetrators are soon identified.  The punishment: social work with Jae Pas.  To preempt further damages, the door installation is expanded to include two bouncers?to the public?s great amusement.  

The green door remains at its Berliner-Platz location until the end of the exhibit on December 22nd 2006.  During the course of the exhibit 700 visitors pass through it.

The Optimist gives Thanks to...