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(#1-62, 2001-2022)<\/strong><\/p>\nVFB versus BALL describes the parts, or phases, of a process-oriented long-term project that aims to trigger thought processes on the topics of consumption, fashion, sports, and globalization.<\/p>\n
“The point is the ball.”
\n(Dettmar Cramer, former coach of FC Bayern Munich)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>
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The Ball Disturbance Association (German: Verein f\u00fcr Ballst\u00f6rungen \/ VFB) offers humorous-ironic as well as serious opportunities to address the impact of Western lifestyles on the working conditions of people in soccer-producing countries. The top priorities were\/are to generate new publics for the topic, and to try to continuously raise one’s own level of play.<\/p>\n<\/div>
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![](\"https:\/\/www.mario-sinnhofer.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/VFB-versus-BALL.jpg\" "\\"VFB")
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BALL (alliances to maintain lousy living conditions \/ German: B\u00fcndnisse zur Aufrechterhaltung lausiger Lebensumst\u00e4nde) is used in this match to summarize all those phenomena that generate or keep going socially and\/or ecologically questionable aspects of the sporting goods industry. The VFB association operates at the intersection of the fields of soccer, visual arts, development policy, and product design, and focuses on the use of artistic power and creativity to transform segments of society.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>
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![](\"https:\/\/www.mario-sinnhofer.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Global-Player-Matchballs.jpg\" "\\"Global")
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Object series made of branded footballs, 4 different shapes.
\nInstallation view Gal\u00e9ria J\u00e1na Koniarka,
\nTrnava\/SK (2003)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
VFB versus BALL
\n#1: Global Player Matchballs (2001-2006)<\/strong><\/p><\/h4><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
One of the problem areas of globalized sporting goods production – extraordinarily poorly paid work, often performed by children under indisputable conditions – can be clearly seen in the example of soccer. An alternative to this are footballs from Fair Trade, which, despite good quality and low prices, are still largely unknown to the soccer public and not very widespread. The Global Player Matchballs series of objects (4 geometrically correct bodies in several color variations) is hand sewn using original tools. The material used was disassembled brand footballs, the individual parts of which were rearranged and sewn back together using standard commercial techniques. The deconstruction and reinterpretation of the central object in the sport of soccer is an attempt to question norms and break down patterns. Visual irritation and unpredictable rolling and jumping behavior generate heightened attention and concentration: something is wrong with the branded ball….<\/p>\n<\/div>
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Since there is amazement and interest at every appearance in soccer circles, trial trainings could be carried out in different playing classes and different age groups from 2002 on. On the one hand, the players obviously had fun kicking, and on the other hand, I put forward the thesis: If you can handle these balls, you will no longer have a problem with the round ball.<\/em> In 2004, the first training session took place with professional soccer players from the Austrian Top League (SV Austria Salzburg \/ today: Red Bull Salzburg), which also seemed interesting enough for the ORF sports editorial team to send a camera team. The resulting feature on the prime-time program “Sport am Sonntag” made it possible to reach a broad public for the first time. With the help of the soccer objects, it was possible to encounter an audience far removed from art – athletes as well as journalists – on a level that was familiar to them.<\/p>\nThe Global Player Matchballs offer not only physical<\/em> occasions for the examination of entrenched habits of perception and patterns of action. By answering questions that automatically arise, such as: “How do you make something like that?” or: “That’s insanely expensive – who actually does that?” it is often possible in conversations to casually begin a discussion about working conditions in production and the responsibility of consumers in this regard.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/www.mario-sinnhofer.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/C1-und-C2-1024x731.jpg\" "\\"C1")
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