
Ann-Sofi Sidén, Fideicommissum, 2000. Photo Mattias Givell.
Ann-Sofi Sidén
Ann-Sofi Sidén
(Born 1962, works in Stockholm)
Fideicommissum, 2000
Bronze fountain
Scale 1:1
Ann-Sofi Sidén’s fountain Fideicommissum is a cast of the artist herself in full scale. The title of the work plays on an obsolete right of inheritance for family property such as Wanås Gods that meant that the oldest son inherited the entire farm. The motif, title, and placement of the work marks territory and comments on outdated yet prevailing hierarchies, power relationships, and gender inequality. In many ways, the work appeals to classical sculpture tradition. The hair, folds in the clothing, and sandals lead our thoughts to classical Greek and Roman sculpture, the fountain Manneken Pis in Brussels from the 1300s depicts a boy peeing, and the image of a bare backside is a medieval provocation. The artist filmed the installation process of the work, and the result became the video artwork Head Lake Piss Down (2000).


