Jury Statement
The jury decided in favour of Karl Salzmann and his presentation concept, titled Monopulism, which uses several components to create a performative (sound) installation. The jury was convinced by the installation’s reference to the current political situation, as revealed in the fascinating metaphorical quality of the individual set pieces.  In a windowless exhibition space, the central placement of a Loudspeaker Monument summons the image of a totalitarian societal structure oriented on a voice. A bar at the entrance serves as a metaphor for shallow chitchat and for repression, as two robotic vacuum cleaners perform their function, in apparent acceptation of their subordinate role. Broken microphones represent the silencing of opposition voices, while the sounds of David Hasselhoff singing Looking for Freedom suggest an American dream that has drifted far afield. Even the apparent beauty of Salzmann’s pictorial works titled Detonation reveals itself within the context of the entire installation to be an immediately threatening force. Given the post-factual, present-day USA, Karl Salzmann’s (sound) installation has particular relevance. In addition, it is, in general, a powerful statement on the themes of abuse of power, manipulation and repression.