Anaesthetics

Anaesthetics explores the latent violence embedded in contemporary society. Across eleven chapters, Chalayan examines how institutionalised rituals, behavioral codes and forms of artificial numbing shape social experience. The film challenges viewers to confront their own conditioning and the subtle mechanisms through which society disciplines perception and desire.

The screening concludes with a discussion between Chalayan and Kimberly Bradley, offering insights into the artist’s approaches to identity, institutional frameworks and the impact of social rituals on individual and collective experience.

Anaesthetics (2004) was commissioned by Moderna Museet (Sweden) and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (Japan).

 

Hussein Chalayan is a designer and artist whose work explores the intersection of fashion, art and technology. He founded his label Chalayan in 1994 and was named British Designer of the Year in 1999 and 2000. Chalayan’s practice spans fashion, film, installations and performance, addressing themes of identity, migration and the natural world.

Kimberly Bradley is an art critic, culture writer, editor, educator and moderator. She has taught courses on contemporary art practices and art writing at New York University’s (NYU) Berlin Campus and at the Salzburg Summer Academy of Fine Arts. She appears in discussions as a moderator or panellist and occasionally acts as a consultant for cultural institutions.

Forecast is dedicated to facilitating, mentoring and promoting creative practices and artistic practitioners. As part of its international mentorship programme, Forecast selects mentors from various disciplines who offer participants their expertise in specifying and realising their project ideas. Previous mentors include architect Tatiana Bilbao,  musician Holly Herndon, choreographer Florentina Holzinger, curator Koyo Kouoh and artist Emeka Ogboh, among others. Forecast has been taking place annually since 2015, with its public formats Forum and Festival.