SKIP THE LINE! Populism and Contemporary Promises
2018, October 26 – November 30
SKIP THE LINE! Populism and Contemporary Promise — in a new space of Biennale Warszawa (MA3450) at Marszałkowska Street!
Curators: Jakub Gawkowski, Stanisław Ruksza
Scenography: Michał Korchowiec
Artists: Anna Baumgart (PL), Adelina Cimochowicz (PL), Davyd Chychkan (UA), Ditte Ejlerskov (DK), Katarzyna Górna & Jakub Majmurek (PL), Szabolcs Kisspal (HU), Jarosław Kozłowski (PL), Kulik-KwieKulik (PL), Dora Maurer (HU), Karolina Mełnicka (PL), Jozef Mrva (CZ), Nagrobki Group (PL), Aleka Polis (PL), Joanna Rajkowska (PL), Odile Bernard Schröder (FR), Aleksandra Ska (PL), Łukasz Surowiec (PL), Monika Szpener (PL), Maria Toboła (PL), Jiří Žák (CZ)
Opening: 26.10.2018, 8.00 p.m.
“SKIP THE LINE!!” read the ads in Europe’s leading tourist centres: pay only a few euros more, avoid the queue, and outsmart everyone else.
The exhibition speaks about the rhetoric of promises: those which can be fulfilled and those absolutely unrealistic; about the wishful language of politics and global capitalism; and finally, about the bitter taste of disappointment when a promise meets reality.
The exhibition deals with the subject of populism – a phenomenon which, among other features, addresses and responds to the needs of “the people.” But who are the people, what unites this group, and how do they articulate their needs? Perhaps, “the people” does not even exist, but then who and why has invented it?
The presented works reflect on the nature of today’s language of politics and media, on how the words attempt to shape reality. The exhibition points to the connections and similarities between the neoliberal cult of freedom with its promise of individual success, and illiberal populism which value freedom and independence of an individual, a state, and a nation. Skip
the line! aims to comment on the ongoing political processes in Central Europe and the world; but instead of its effects on public life, it focuses on mechanisms and the rhetorical constructions behind them.
All over the world the word “populist” is attributed to a politician who says exactly what people want to hear. Like the American multi-millionaire who can spin every situation into a reality show and advertise himself in the easiest possible way. Nowadays however, “a populist” is not an insult or a low-quality indicator. “I am the real populist”, says Barack Obama, “somebody else, who has never shown any regard for workers, has never fought on behalf social justice issues, they don’t suddenly become a populist because they say something controversial in order to win votes.”
The world ruled by populism is a world shaped as a comic book or a computer game. There is no place for nuances, discussions, or changing opinions. Instead, there are two opposite sides of the conflict, distinct heroes and the eternal struggle between good and evil. It is a world of contrasts and cosmic proportions where moral categories are applied to everything.
Partners: TRAFO | Danish Cultural Institute in Poland | French Institute in Warsaw/ Institut français de Pologne à Varsovie | Chech Centre Warsaw
Media partners: TOK FM | Le Monde Diplomatique | Co Jest Grane 24 | Magazyn Szum | Notes Na 6 Tygodni
Information
26.10 – 30.11.2018
wtorek – czwartek 12.00 – 20.00
piątek – sobota 14.00 – 22.00
niedziela 11.00-19.00
Otwarcie: 26 października 2018, godz. 20.00
Miejsce: Biennale Warszawa (MA3450), ul. Marszałkowska 34/50
Bilety:
10 PLN normalny
5 PLN ulgowy
1 PLN studencki/branżowy
Artists
Anna Baumgart, Adelina Cimochowicz, David Chichkan, Ditte Ejlerskov (Ejlerskov Ditte), Katarzyna Górna (Kasia Górna) and Jakub Majmurek, Szabolcs KissPál, Jarosław Kozłowski, Kulik-KwieKulik, Dóra Maurer, Karolina Mełnicka, Jozef Mrva, Grupa Nagrobki, Aleka Polis, Joanna Rajkowska, Odile Bernard Schröder, Aleksandra Ska, Łukasz Surowiec, Monika Szpener, Maria Toboła, Jiří Žák
