ana cigon

Exhibition. Drawings on paper and on wall, video, collection of books and performance
Autors of the exhibition and performance: Vesna Bukovec, Tia Čiček, Ana Čigon
GT22 Gallery, Glavni trg 22, Maribor
18 Mar 2023 - 7 Apr 2023

Exhibition text

Exhibition events
18 Mar 2023 at 4pm: performance Utopian Rest

Performance and the exhibition were part of the event entitled Brezodra, Nagib
Production: Society NAGIB
Curatorial process: Petra Hazabent
Organization: Društvo za kulturno produkcijo in afirmacijo umetniških procesov NAGIB, GT22/Fundacija Sonda
For the science fiction literary suggestions, we thank Marie Andrée-Pellerin

Webpage of the exhibition space GT22: https://gt22.si/delo-v-nastajanju-utopicni-pocitek/ (SLO)
Link to the related project Work in Progress. Reflections on Communities Beyond Capitalismy.

ABOUT THE EVENT BREZODRA

BREZODRA (Stageless) is a continuation of Nagib’s long-standing process of research, experimentation, reflection and performance beyond established spaces and production structures. This time, BREZODRA is designed as a multi-hour manifestation of various practices, formats of coexistence and co-creation, deliberations and discourses, aimed at finding and questioning new perspectives and performance strategies, which are created by considering the construction of (new) communities and ways of different presence, attention and action. It is an idea and a contribution to the development of new models of cultural production that depart from the established systems of producing and perceiving works of art.

On the occasion of the opening of the exhibition in GT22 and the implementation of the event as part of BREZODRA (Nagib), we prepared a performative reading about an utopian rest with the aim of taking a short rest during the whole day’s events.

For more information about other BREZODRA events see: https://nagib.si/

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Long-term artistic and curatorial research on the topic of work, reflection on the conditions of knowledge exchange and the search for alternative social and organizational arrangements have their beginnings in the creating of the exhibition, which was first shown in November 2022 in Škuc Gallery. Through cooperation, we are looking for answers to the questions: Where do we go from here? What kind of future can we imagine and plan for? How to establish and maintain a connected and supportive community? Do we know how to cooperate and how do we have to adapt and shape ourselves and society so that we can cooperate better? etc.

As part of BREZODRA (Nagib) we prepared a performative reading with the aim of resting during the day’s activities. The English text was created according to our instructions with the help of AI. It draws from selected passages of well-known fiction, especially science fiction literature and humanistic texts. Participants and workers are invited to relax while listening to gentle, sometimes radical, thoughts about utopian worlds and communities that live beyond the capabilities of our environment and social arrangements.

Work in Progress points to the need to rethink current forms of work and activity and to recognise, internalise and challenge certain patterns of behaviour and oppression. Ways of recovery and empowerment can be seen in knowledge sharing, community building and the creation of new living and working conditions. The dismantling of the existing hierarchy of values, which neglects the worker in favour of profit and false “progress”, can be seen as the key to creating a more just world.

For more information about the exhibition please read the exhibition text.