Curated by Klio Krajewska
Public online opening 14 January 7pm with the artist - click here to book.
Through her performative action - that took place in Londonbetween 2017 and 2019 in the aftermathof the Brexit referendum vote - she explores the concept she developed andnamed the 'space of fear.' She came up with this concept because she felt thatthere is a lack of terminology to express her personal experience of thedynamic of the ongoing socio-cultural transformation. The project is driven bya need to speak up about the issue of limitation of perspectives, itsrelationship to power and how it affects the social atmosphere of our time.
For the purpose of this project she wears her father'smilitary field uniform, combined with inline skates. This unorthodox fusionbecame the instrument for addressing the social climate in Europe suffused withtension, gravitas and absurdity.
Military uniform symbolises archetypical armour whileskating - freedom and rebellion. The latter is associated with a process ofexperiencing the space creatively and unconventionally, challenging yourselfwith every given surface. It is also a high-risk sport; essentially a deathdrive.
For her route, she chose the first historical border of thecity of London - the Roman Wall. London (Londinium) was established by theRomans who invaded Britain in the 5th century. In the city's complex andmulti-layered history, she marks her ephemeral presence along the historicborder of the city founded and expanded by invaders.
Crowd Crystals are a phenomenon introduced by Elias Canettiin his book 'Mass and power'. He is explaining them as small structures withinsociety, which are the nucleus of power. Having pure potential without realpower, the structure can become stronger and more significant when thepolitical or societal situation is favourable. Expanding upon Elias Canetti'sconcept the figure of a lonely inline skating soldier becomes the embodiment ofthe potential we all carry within ourselves to influence change.
The outcome of the project is a videoinstallation, which is designed in a way that the viewers can almost physicallyfeel as the space of fear surrounds them - yet they are located in a peaceful centre.
