I loved Sikorski's lecture on what he calls "engaged art." He was a good speaker and I could tell that he loved what he does. Here are the notes that I took on his presentation:
- Ran most progressive art gallery in Warsaw in the early 80s.
- Art theories and critics in Europe recognize a certain type of art in which an artist does not want to execute an idea relating to aesthetics only.
o Political, social, psychological.
- All engaged art.
- There are politically engaged artists when there is a need to change something in politics and the status quo.
- Anywhere and every time art is available for the creation and improvement of social life.
- Psychological the most difficult to understand.
o Art that you can be close to, physically and mentally.
- In Europe, artists get more engaged in surroundings than in America.
- Yalta Conf. – Europe divided into two parts (one ruled by USSR).
- Long oppression in Poland by USSR.
- Engaged Art:
o Can modify status quo.
o Visible and invisible effects.
o Cognitive reactions.
o Forces the human mind to develop and open up.
- Art that believes it can change things, can have effects that are social and cultural, the way we see and think (cognition).
o Take years to form.
- Experiencing certain art works can refresh your mind; ask yourself basic questions.
o Rebuild opinions and feelings.
- Enlightenment – suddenly you grasp everything and it is clear and obvious.
o Highest value of art possible that opens up your mind.
- Intellect is not everything; is just a small part of the human mind.
- Polish graffiti during Nazi occupation in the 40s and Soviet occupation in the 80s.
o Would be shot right then and there rather than be put in jail.
- 1978 – KwiKulik, Monument Without Passports (performance)
o Feet plastered to floor.
- 1981 – Bonfire of Freedom (performance).
- 1981 – Europe, Art, and Fear (performance).
o TS drew Europe in chalk, colored in Poland, laid down with a trash brash hanging above dripping water and washing away the chalk.
- 1984 – Brooklyn Projection by Krzsztof Wodiczko (Memorial Arch).
- Social Engagement:
- 1981 – Stupid Woman by Ewa Partum (performance).
- 1988-1989 – Homeless’ Vehicle by KW (industrial design?).
o Looked different outside than in a museum (indoors).
- 1993 – Picture for the Homeless by TS (used paintings to build tents).
o Artwork can serve as something more than just images.
- Chinese artist Wei-Wei arrested for protesting, making art.
- 1996 – Olympia by Katarzyna Korzyra (photograph).
o Refers to Monet’s painting from 1864.
• Ideal image of the woman.
- 1996 – Lego Concentration Camp by Zbigniew Libera.
o How we treat boys and girl to make them men and women.
• Break down the common way of bringing up children.
- 1998 – Eye for the Eye by Artur Zmijewski (film).
o Films situations not seen everyday; very personalized.
- 2003 – Positive by ZL (photograph comparing modern people huddled together to concentration camp prisoners huddled together).
o Attempt to reverse atmosphere of history.
• People are happy in the modern day photograph unlike the misery the prisoners experienced.
- Psychological engagement:
- 2011 – Yes No by TS (painting).
o There is no absolute truth; every truth is a creation.
• There is no abstract, living truth.
- Art is a reaction from your body.
- Art is subjective; it all makes sense some how but it depends on who is looking at it.
