Eustachy Kossakowski archive

Jerzy Beres's manifestation „Prophecy II ” at the Krzysztofory Gallery (51-77/77)

The manifestation "Prediction II" took place on March 1, 1968 in the Krzysztofory Gallery. It was Jerzy Bereś' second performance with the same title, since the first one ("Prediction I") had been hosted two months earlier (January 6) in the Foksal Gallery. The artist saw both manifestations as a program statement. He considered the connection with the audience as most important, while distancing himself from happenings. His works were censored much more often than other artists' because he used national and political symbols.

"On March 1, 1968, an authentic country cart loaded heavily with fire-wood was placed in the Krzysztofory Gallery. In the evening, dressed in white and red linen, I suggested lighting several fires along the gallery walls to the audience, which was done by means of newspapers and small pieces of wood. While the fires were burning, I stood in the middle of the gallery and asked the people to unload the cart and put the logs under my feet. The logs were arranged in such a way that by standing on them I found myself at the top of a high stack. At the same time, a man's voice could be heard reading non-stop the manifest titled "Creative Act I". Standing at the top of the stack I asked the people present to paint the emptied cart with blue paint prepared for the purpose - which was done with brushes or even hands. Meanwhile, I mounted a great, symbolic bow with a bow-string of red and white and the inscription: 'Prediction II' - at the top of the stack. After fixing my body - myself into the work, on the stake, when the cart was already blue, I asked for a burning chip from the smouldering fires, and, blowing out the flame, I signed the monument with the charred end. The stack, the blue cart, and the manifest hung on the wall, together with the photographs added on the next day, constituted the exhibition titled 'Vestiges of Event'”.

(Jerzy Bereś, Zwidy, Wyrocznie, Ołtarze, Kraków 1991.)

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