The fashion performance presented at Hot Topic was homage to Chicks on Speed’s legendary 2000 performance at Volksbühne Berlin, where the Group performed behind a fire-safe wall or “iron curtain”, leaving the stage empty with just a live streamed projection of them performing on a miniature screen. The Volksbuhne audience at the time were bewildered, convinced the group wasn’t there at all until half way through the live-set, frustrated and curious audience members broke through the iron curtain, humorously revealing the group was actually performing live, secretly behind the theatre’s curtain. The performance is legendary amongst culture vulture Berliner’s today.
The homage to COS presented at Schwutz, Berlin had an extra twist, it was juxtaposed with a visual reference to Fisherspooner’s legendary 2001 Kunstwerke performance, with the creation of an open backstage on stage (as at the time the 2 Art Bands were rivals, part of the so called Electroclash scene, always trying to be more extreme than the other, with their Berlin art scene performances). The staged open dressing room, with it’s several classic chrome clothing racks, life size mirror and chairs further exaggerated the theatricality of the performance, with acting presenters being made up and styled live by Chicks on Speed collaborator and fashion designer Kathi Glas. Artist Patrick Zumwalde danced gogo style, whilst being swung around on a revolving stage, followed by The Real Housewives of NeuKoln performing their contemporary take on the Weimar Republic’s Cabaret Style in neon, with all being mixed together live from the DJ both by curator of the evening and art provocateur Kiki Moorse.
