When I State that I Am an Anarchist

The performative exhibition When I State That I Am an Anarchist references the work of the charismatic artist and legend of the New York avant-garde Christopher D’Arcangelo. D’Arcangelo organized happenings challenging the rules and hierarchies of art institutions, and is famed for such stunts as handcuffing himself to museum benches and barriers. 

Pierre Bal-Blanc, curator of the exhibition and author of the libretto to When I State That I Am an Anarchist, interprets seven episodes from D’Arcangelo’s life, alluding to the philosophy of the Cynics in ancient Greece, the Christian ideal of forgiveness, and anarchist thought. The exhibition comprises gestures, actions and choreography, executed according to instructions written by artists invited by the curator: Sammy Baloji, Trajal Harrell, Pope.L, Rick Lowe/Maria Papadimitriou, Paul Maheke, Jimmy Robert and Shikeith, staged with Eva Barto, Nina Canal, Mark Ther, Matéj Salava and Marianne Marić.

Pierre Bal-Blanc is an independent curator and writer, former director of the CAC Brétigny contemporary art center in France, and member of the curatorial team for documenta 14 in Kassel and Athens.

Presentation of this series in the opening program of the new MSN Warsaw building is made possible through cooperation with the Vienna-based Kontakt Collection, a foundation focusing on art from this part of Europe, especially from the 1960s and 70s. The Kontakt Collection, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, combines collecting with research and instigating exhibitions, often put on in non-museum spaces such as office buildings or shopping malls. The foundation currently operates under artistic director Kathrin Rhomberg, and combines reflections on art from decades past with current political, social and environmental issues. The name “Kontakt” (full name “Kontakt Collection: Association for the Promotion of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European Art,” founded by the Erste Foundation in cooperation with Erste Group) was taken from the title of a work by the Slovak artist Július Koller, who insisted that art should be about “engaging rather than arranging.”