 | Artur Żmijewski
"Democracies" and other works
| 34% video
33% counter public
33% value-freedom
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Artur Żmijewski is disconcerting because he pursues a radical documentary approach in his work, without revealing his own political stance: “Democracies” – a series of documentary films of political statements of will and rallies in various European countries – juxtaposes opinions and forms of enactment without judging them: Demonstrations and parades, re-enacted historical battles, the Football World Cup in Germany, Jörg Haider’s funeral. What freedom is implied by our concept of freedom; a concept that is so important for the way we understand democracy?
Żmijewski’s unsettling radical approach lies in his position as a participating observer who makes no distinction between good and bad democrats, between understood and misunderstood freedoms. He does not submit to any technocratic or scientific concept of democracy but rather adds an emotionalising view to the discussion.
By contrasting “Democracies” and other works of photography and video, Żmijewski’s first solo exhibition in Austria becomes political on another political level: Judgemental concepts of social norms and otherness must come to nothing.
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Co-produced by steirischer herbst & Camera Austria
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