Vev, Marketenderin
Installation (beer table set, ethanol, water, juice, labeled glass bottles, small drinking vessels, beer mats, basket, crockery, playing cards, ballpoint pen, text), Activities (anti-patriarchal toast writing table, Watten tournament)
220 × 96 × 76 cm
2023

The Profession of the Marketender (Italian: mercatante = merchant) has its roots in medieval military life. Marketenders were tasked with supplying the troops they accompanied with goods for daily and personal use. In many regions, the duties of female marketenders also included the provision of sexual services.  In contemporary folk traditions, particularly within local heritage associations such as marching bands, their role has shifted to primarily providing troops with high-proof alcohol. Not only the floral decorations adorning their baskets and barrels, but the marketenders themselves are regarded as ornamental figures of the unit.