THE CHOCOL'ART
Wernigerode, Germany (2014)
One chocolate festival and three live-actions done by Gerhard.
1) A live-performance with chocolate body paintings on two models at the same time (world premiere)
2) Two chocolate workshops at the Academy Überlingen
3) A charity chocolate event for the good cause, where 100% of the money was donated to the local children's hospital cancer station.
Choco meets fashion:
World's first: Live-Chocolate Body Painting on two models
At the chocolate fashion show 'Choco meets fashion' Gerhard presented at Fürstlicher Marstall in Wernigerode live a real masterpiece and chocolate artwork par excellence. Never ever before an artist connected two models with chocolate and made them undivideable. In front of the audience he created this holistic body-artwork as an impressive show-act. A phantastic dream journey into the world of beauty, harmony and desires in chocolate.
The result: Human 1-hour sculptures in chocolate (Hommage to Erwin Wurm)
Chocolate workshops with students:
Chocolate-Workshops at the Academy Überlingen
Additionally to the 'chocolART' Gerhard absolved two workshops at the Academy Überlingen in Wernigerode. At this unique opportunity participants admired the artist's Video presentation with a small selection and overview of past artworks.
Afterwards they had the possibility to create together with him another chocolate-artwork suitable to the topic ‘Nature’, a chocolate tree.
A demonstration and the step by step instruction of how to do a chocolate tree and several other decoration elements, followed. Gerhard also showed all facettes of the creation, handling and the dangers which are connected to the different formats and size-dimensions of such sculptures in a fragile and delicate medium as chocolate. Every participant received a certificate of the cooperation between the Master Chocolatier, DEHOGA and the Academy Überlingen.
Charity workshop in public:
Hands-on Charity workshop for everyone: 'Magic forest made of chocolate trees and candies'
Within the framework of the social support program FIDIBUS - a development plan for children and youth medicine in the region of Harz e.V. to support sick children with cancer and other serious illnesses – Gerhard Petzl supported this charity function with his heart and manpower and 100% of the donations were directly forwarded to the program.
All people and guests from Wernigerode and further were openly welcomed and encouraged to be part of this supportive mindset and had the chance to create his/her own chocolate tree for the magic tree as well. The idea of the artist was that each of the trees is part of something bigger like the wholesome of a mosaic, on one hand it is to show support and strength and at the same time it reflects the idea of together-ness rather than silent single-fighter mentality. Together we are strong and the physically visible signs of trees are clearly showing that something is growing and more and more people are sharing this mindset. After completion the whole chocolate forest was given to the clinic for the children together with the money to support the treatments plans.
Gerhard would like to mention special thanks to the organiser of the event, Mrs. Gabriele Kunth, which sacrificed already many sleepless nights and weekends of hers over past years with the production of teddy-bears and candles which were offered on the local markets afterwards to collect money for the clinic and the cancer-station. She has earned my highest respect and appreciation!