We draw on many years of experience in working with artists and cultural practitioners, such as bassoonist Johannes Schwarz or multimedia artist Michael Pendry. This time we worked together with Davide Balula. His performance piece makes the interplay between calorie intake and calorie consumption visually accessible to visitors. It exemplifies the transformation of mass into energy and how it is consumed again by muscle contraction work. Every movement is the result of this energy transmission.

The piece takes place on two platforms placed in the center of the gallery. Both athletes simultaneously perform a 30-minute workout circle including several exercises like “jumping jacks”, “sit-ups”, and “push-ups”. The performers allow themselves a break every now and then to regain the burned calories in the form of food intake, by pressing a button next to their stage. For a bite of banana, for example, they press the button once and 10 calories are added to their calorie counter. Then the process repeats itself.