Presented on stage by Vjeko Sager at Ryeberg Live Vancouver 2014.

Vjeko Sager’s Ryeberg Live performance belonged to the realm of the unprecedented: he accompanied his selection of YouTube videos with live action drawing rather than any text. His material? Charcoal — a practice he has been mastering since 1995. Vjeko thinks of his charcoals as “failed attempts to understand the meaning of life and art.”

Once on stage, Vjeko taped a blank page onto a rudimentary drafting board and, without a word, began his first drawing. His chosen YouTube videos played on the big screen above the stage. Each video seemed to influence the charcoal he was working on. The audience watched over his shoulder as each of his drawings took form.

Armstrong & Miller Show, “Origins of Art Criticism” (S5Ep1, 2007)

markfreeman408, “Elephant Paints Self Portrait” (Thailand, 2010)

Jorgen Leth, “Andy Warhol Eats A Hamburger” (66 Scenes From America, 1982)

MOCAlosangeles, “Paul McCarthy on Dan Graham” (2009)

Art21org, “Jeff Koons: Money & Value” (2010)

Marina Abramovic/Ulay, “Light/Dark: Performance Art” (1977)

Showbiz411, “Banksy‘s ‘Morons‘ @ London Art Auction” (2008)

Vjeko invited eleven volunteers to the stage. He asked each person to hold up one of his drawings. Ah ha! Each drawing was a letter. But what did the letters spell?

Much suspense as Vjeko arranged his letter-volunteers into a sequence.

Then it was clear: LONG LIVE ART! Yes!

– Vjeko Sager