‘Ovation’ assembles footage from the Spanish Conference Hall, dating back to 1982, when the first elections were held following the end of Franco’s military dictatorship democracy, until 2013. The clapping ceremonies that ensue in parliament each time after policies and legislations are approved are singled out in this video-work and transformed into endless self-applause.
Since “Ovation” was begun in 2013, further footage has been collected of parliaments in Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, UK and Greece. Every time laws are passed or rejected, a clapping ceremony ensues. Meli’s transformation of this moment into an endless self-applause paints a caricature of the democratic process and presents an almost sinister reading into how our lives are shaped by such theatrics.