Walk-in Thoughts #6: Toxic

If something is toxic, it is harmful, it is poisonous.

The term is in vogue. For some time now, not only nuclear waste, deodorants and Britney Spears' hit from 2004 have been toxic, but also relationships, behaviour patterns and masculinity.

For the Moderne Sammlung, "Toxic" becomes the catchword for the sixth edition of the presentation series "Begehbare Gedanken". It shows two video installations from the museum's collection. Peter Friedl's "DUMMY" (1997) is juxtaposed with "Mannequin Death" (2015) by Richard Hoeck / John Miller. In Friedl's work: a man, a cigarette machine and a homeless person. In Hoeck / Miller: a plastic arm pushing mannequins off a mountain.

In both videos, affectations, rage and violence are based on simple explanatory models, while nervousness and reproach reverberate in the viewers. It is about capitalism, mass media and populism. How toxic are these? And what does that mean for our society?

What do you feel is toxic?
And how much "toxic" is in you?