Breath Text: Love Poem

About This Movie

Breath Text: Love Poem unfolds as a visceral exploration of breath, performed by VALIE EXPORT with an almost hypnotic focus. The piece stands out for its raw simplicity, where EXPORT's heavy breathing against the camera lens evokes a palpable tension, creating an intimate atmosphere. You watch as she moves her face, fogging up the lens, which adds this surreal quality, blurring the line between audience and performer. It’s not just performance art; it’s a meditation on presence and vulnerability, tied to Olson's poem but rendered visually striking through EXPORT's physicality. There's a certain discomfort and beauty in its pacing, drawing you in even as it pushes you away.

This piece may not have received widespread attention, but it holds a curious place in performance art circles. Various formats exist, but the earlier editions are particularly rare, and collectors often seek out any original recordings. Interest has been growing among those who appreciate the intersection of poetry and performance, making it a less common but fascinating find in the right collection.