Mystical perseveration,1986. (1-30/30)
„Mystical perseveration“ is one of many works by Libera, motivated by the artist's grandmother slow agony. The old woman, after her rosary was taken away from her (to prevent her from accidental strangling) is looking for another artifact, thanks to which she will be able to devote herself to mystical prayer again. This object she finds in a potty – an object, which was within her physical reach, but thanks to making a religious fetish of it, becomes an object of almost mystical quality.
In a text prepared by Zbigniew Libera for an exhibition we can read:
"Described work is an action of magical-mistical character independent of my known form of religion, magic or art. It doesn’t create or constitute any system. It is created daily, regardless of political, social, culture, artistic, financial, official and unofficial power systems,
it happens all the time in the very same place, experienced always by the same person – person of the author (my presence during filming was contingent, not registered by the author).
It is immanently connected with author's existence, because it is the only one, besides physiology, action taken by them by themselves. It is the only form of author's contact with external reality.
The author of work is Regina G., by now blind and decrepit, who doesn't leave her bed.
Starting point for the described work was the ritual of “rosary”, which after a while transformed into whirling the rosary around her neck. The direction and mode of twisting was chanding, what caused creating a noose around her neck. In consequence the rosary has been removed as too dangerous. In its place a new random, closest object appeared. It was a potty. The activity I'm describing consist on long-time twisting of the potty around its axis. At the same time, the potty still maintained its usual function. Depending on the needs, it was becoming in turn a medium, in turn a vessel for excrement.
The work consists of an installation of night dresser, medication, and a tv set, on which the film is screened (50min).
