from hero to zero

In September 2024, my friend and I embarked on a three-week journey through Iran, where we delved into the ancient Persian religion known as Zoroastrianism. Friedrich Nietzsche, inspired by the figure of Zarathustra (key figure for Zoroastrianism), crafted his seminal work Thus Spoke Zarathustra, where he unfolds a philosophical narrative. Here, Zarathustra assumes the role of a motivational guide, aiming to lead individuals toward the ultimate aspiration of humanity: becoming the Übermensch, or Overman. Central to this journey are three transformative stages of life.

The first is the Camel, symbolizing humility, burden, and the acceptance of tradition. In this phase, individuals carry the weight of duties, uncritically absorbing the historical and societal norms imposed upon them. The second stage, the Lion, represents a necessary rebellion—a defiant struggle to liberate oneself from inherited values. In this phase, individuals destroy absolute truths, fight for their own values, and confront what binds them with a resounding “No!” The final stage is that of the Child, a symbol of creativity, purity, and innocence. Here, one transcends mere rejection, embracing the act of creating new values and discovering their personal purpose in life.

The swing, a childhood artifact, references Nietzsche’s third stage of life. Yet, in its ambivalence, the swing critiques conventions, traditions, and the absolute truths often introduced to us in early childhood. While it serves as a fixed and seemingly immutable mediator of “play,” its form and function challenge the rigid structures of learned norms. The minimalist aesthetic of the piece represents a blank slate—a visual metaphor for untapped potential and novelty—while simultaneously interweaving the contradictions inherent in the ideas it seeks to explore. Suspended from the swing’s ropes are fragments of Nietzsche’s text, my personal annotations, and graphic or conceptual translations of the thoughts that emerged during the creative process. The name of the work then refers to the three phases of life, when it is actually necessary to become one’s own hero in order to be able to realize the necessity and need to start from scratch, to begin the search for new values and redefinition.

rope, wooden sticks covered in papier-maché, fabric with sewed text

approx. 300 cm × 50 cm × 40 cm

December 2024