I stumbled upon this wonderful, mysterious artwork of the Amsterdam-based artist Emile Zile, which he exhibited in his hometown Melbourne in August/September 2012. No further explanation, just this: “I have issues”.  The slogan is related to a (discount?) price tag of $ 15. Perhaps a hint to the current economic crisis in many parts of the world?

The banners appeal to me. I have issues too, but perhaps too many. Where to start? In many places it is better not to expose this attitude in the first place. You better shut up. One might otherwise run into trouble, lose your job, be sidelined or even get killed (see Pakistan). It is better not to practice civil disobedience, unless you are part of a mob. What’s left this is existential remark: I have issues. It sounds like failed human right. A not quite half-way maybe human right. I have issues but I am not saying which ones, let alone what my criticism is. Perhaps these days it is sufficient to state just this. Everyone knows what you are referring to. This is why Occupy Wall Street had no demands: it was, and still is, a sign of their imaginative power and belief in autonomy and of their own right to vagueness, expressing the real-existing non-intellectual impetus despite all the involvements of academics and public intellectuals.

So Emile, roll out your t-shirt line, you’re onto something. Here is a video that Emile Zile made of the work in relation to his other pieces in the room.