Abstract
In this chapter, we analyze how artistic actions can change the rhythm and pace of our movement in the city, literally and metaphorically. Both a permanent art object and an ephemeral action require stopping, interacting, reflecting, contemplating, and interpreting their meanings. This is particularly true for the human body standing still, forcing us to pay attention not only to the space around us but also to the entire social and political context. Using examples of selected artists’ actions in public spaces, we demonstrate how standing still constitutes a performative action or a tool for creating art.
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Notes
- 1.
Akademia Ruchu drew on the tradition of politically engaged art, and its name was inspired by the a.r. formation founded by Władysław Strzemiński and Katarzyna Kobro (an abbreviation for ‘revolutionary artists’ or ‘real avant-garde’). The aesthetics of the Academy were reminiscent of constructivism, postulating the egagement of artists, including political engagement (Plata 2015, 15).
- 2.
PRL is an abbreviation for the propaganda name “Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa” (Polish People’s Republic), used in Communist Poland between 1944 and 1989, referring to the system and political structure of the Polish state, indicating that power belongs to the people.
- 3.
The footage of the action is available at https://vimeo.com/97760264. Accessed 31 Oct 2023.
- 4.
The northeastern part of Cracow; a newly designed city whose construction began in 1949. It was built for workers of a planned metallurgical complex.
- 5.
Research interview conducted by the author with Łukasz Jastrubczak on October 5, 2015.
- 6.
Exhibition Obrzędy powszednie i odświętne, Białystok 2016(b), curated by M. Jachuła; https://artmuseum.pl/pl/performans/archiwum/2543. Accessed 31 Oct 2023.
- 7.
An excerpt from an interview: Poszukiwanie sensu fotografii. Rozmowy o sztuce (Seeking the Meaning of Photography. Conversations on Art.) Krzysztof Jurecki, Galeria Sztuki Wozownia, Toruń 2007. https://artinfo.pl/wydarzenia/andrzej-dudek-durer-zywa-rzezba-1969-2019. Accessed 31 Oct 2023.
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Izdebska, K., Kowalewski, M. (2024). Making a Pause in Street Life: Not Moving as an Art Practice. In: García, P., Toivanen, AL. (eds) Urban Mobilities in Literature and Art Activism. Literary Urban Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42798-5_6
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