The incentive has been metaphorically cleared. The sounds of cleaning: scrubbing, vacuuming, polishing could be heard during the symbolic refreshment of the gallery building in the performance “Cleaning Zachęta” by Katarzyna Krakowiak-Bałka.
In recent years, the National Gallery of Art has been a place of political tension, a place boycotted by artists whose works were exhibited by the institution against their will. – The authoritarian way of management, the ideologization of the program and the return to stale views have stained the building – notes Anda Rottenberg, in the curatorial text about the performance “Cleaning Zachęta”.
Metaphorical opening
When starting spring cleaning, Katarzyna Krakowiak-Bałka invited artists, including singers and opera singers, to cooperate with her.
– With the element of voices, we will cleanse the architecture of Zachęta, let fresh air into it and awaken energy to prepare it for new times – said Anda Rottenberg during the evening performance. On Thursday evening, the entire building: exhibition halls, offices, the roof and even the interior of one of the wardrobes resounded with the voices of a dozen singers. Among them were sopranos and altos, tenors and baritones, opera and pop voices. The artists interpreted the score based on the transcription of the sounds of cleaning: scrubbing, vacuuming, polishing, airing the interior.
The author of the performance believed that in this metaphorical way, one could open up to new times, challenges and events of artistic life.
The guests of the performance could hear, among others: Andrzej Chyra, Mary and Szymon Komasa, Łukasz Konieczny, rapper asthma and the proMODERN sextet.
– As a contemporary artist, I feel responsible for the time and space I create and work with. I am grateful that we can work with such fleeting matter as voice and air, using them as tools that will redefine and open this place, said the performer.
She is known for her activities using the sound possibilities of architecture
The following artists participated in Katarzyna Krakowiak-Bałka's performance: asthma, Dominika Biernat, Andrzej Chyra, Katarzyna Emose, Joanna Freszel, Mary Komasa, Szymon Komasa, Łukasz Konieczny, Karolina Kraczkowska, Dionizy Wincenty Płaczkowski, Michał Sławecki, Katarzyna Szugajew and proMODERN: Katarzyna Bienias, Krzysztof Chalimoniuk, Marta Czarkowska, Anna Krawczuk, Piotr Pieron, Aleksander Rewiński.
Katarzyna Krakowiak-Bałka is known for her activities that use the sound possibilities of architecture. Her first large acoustic project, “Making the walls quake as if they were dilating with the secret knowledge of great powers”, was carried out in the Polish Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice (2012). Using the interplay of architecture and sound, the artist turned the pavilion into a sound sculpture. She received an award for this project.
The organizers of the event, curated by Anda Rottenberg, are Zachęta – National Gallery of Art and the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts. The partner is Collegium da Vinci.
Main photo source: TVN24