Tears don´t lie (they say)

Presentation on May 14th 2025 @ Interdisciplinary Conference

Feeling Machines: Gender, Technologies, and Capitals 

Contemporary Art Center Vilnius, Lithuania

In my presentation I try to give you an insight into my work called „WIENER WEINEN“ (VIENNESE CRYING), which is attempting to produce salt from human tears. A salt works (also called: saline) has been built in Viennas public space, inviting passers-by to cry and make their tears available for (tear)salt production. This art intervention is an opportunity to reflect on the (gender-specific) practice of crying in public as well as on the commercialisation of emotions. Questions about authentic and performed crying, about expressions of sensitivities in public, as well as issues relating to the boundaries of sustainability play a central role by inviting an open discourse.