John Bock's 'Dead + Juicy' film and exhibition at The Contemporary Austin critiques Texan culture

German artist John Bock presents 'Dead + Juicy', a new film and exhibition at The Contemporary Austin, running from 23 September to 14 January. The one-hour film, shot entirely in South Austin, follows a barber named Lisa through various city locations, including a suburban backyard with a grill and masked figures, a traditional barbershop featuring taxidermy, and a wooded swamp. Bock's work, known since the early 1990s for its bizarre and near-perverse elements, interprets Texan culture through exaggerated archetypes like Southern belles and gun-toting cowboys, often referencing Texas's mythical aura and themes of independence. The exhibition includes props from the film, such as a red barber chair and a vintage record player, though these objects are critiqued for failing to complement the film or stand alone. Bock describes the project as an 'uncanny musical', but the review argues this label does not fit, noting the work feels undercooked due to ignorance of contemporary American politics and Austin's liberal context as Texas's cultural epicenter. The artist's signature nonsensical lectures and eccentric style are evident, but the overall effect is described as exhausting and intentionally bogus rather than intellectually stimulating.