Polish Performance Archive

Description by Filmoteka Muzeum

The performance pays homage to Casimir Malevich, who according to Warpechowski “opened the universe for art”. The artist focuses here on the issue of the citizenship of the brilliant avant-garde painter – Pole by origin. Apart from the dimension of artistic tribute, the performance is also highly critical of the authorities of the Second Republic of Poland, who denied Malevich citizenship out of “Polish stupidity, opportunism and cowardice”.

Warpechowski apologises for the painter’s ordeal, offering his very own copy of the painting Black Square, hanging on the wall. He is lying on the floor covered with a duvet, while another artist Natalia LL gives him a whipping as long as she finds necessary. The action comes to an end with Warpechowski showing off the square whipped on his back and the duvet with a square hole. Everything happens right in front of the distinguished original – “the most radical and profound artistic decision of the 20th century”.

The use of aggression, characteristic of Warpechowski, allowed him to refer to the radicalism of the painting in an appropriately uncompromising manner.

References: Z. Warpechowski, Zasobnik. Autorski opis trzydziestu lat drogi życia poprzez sztukę performance, Gdańsk 1998.
 

(ŁM)