The Centre for Political Beauty (ZPS) is an association of action artists led by the philosopher and artist Philipp Ruch. The collective sees itself as a kind of think tank that brings action art and human rights together (»an aggressive humanism«). The actions of the ZPS are numerous (ex: Lethe-Bombs, The Pillars of Shame, Sarcophagus Oberndorf, Refugees Eat, most recently Flyerservice Hahn). Their artistic interventions always deal with humanitarian issues, are intended to draw attention to grievances and, in the best case, to encourage action. A recognisable feature is faces blackened with charcoal. The ashes are meant to be read as a warning symbol and a reminder of already extinct advanced civilisations. The attitude of the ZPS is to judge the value of an action not according to the current benefit, the current perspective, but from a future perspective.

Artistic interventions are intended to draw attention to humanitarian issues. Genocides, refugee movements and political inaction are favourite themes of the ZPS. The actions should lead to public awareness, which ultimately encourages action and help.

In 2019, Ruch explains the principles of the collective in »Enough with Patience«: »Art can produce counter-reality. It is expected to be fiction. That's why so many experts in art are outraged by the ZPS. We are an inverted Claas Relotius case for art: where fiction is expected, with us it is reality.« The collective's actions often attract a lot of attention in the media.

Philipp Ruch