Duration 21min. | 15min. | 120min.
1 | Close Stranger | KKKC | Kłajpeda
2 | Close Stranger | NCCA | Kaliningrad
3 | Close Stranger | CSW | Gdańsk
Kłajpeda
Kaliningrad
Gdańsk
Photos: Hauke Schmidt
The overall objective of the project Close Stranger was to develop contemporary culture exchange and promote mutual understanding between population of Gdańsk (Poland), Kaliningrad (Russia) and Klaipeda (Lithuania).
Duration: 24 months / December 2012 – December 2014
what divides us unites us | 1
I am standing on a lawn outside of the gallery waiting for the audience to assemble. When they arrive I start to dress a pair of long black gloves. This calm and unhasty ritual takes several minutes. Then I remain in my position slowly rubbing my hands. Suddenly I am interrupted by the figure of a bear which comes running from behind with a red bucket full of grey liquid pouring it on me. The bear escapes. Smeared with the grey mass I turn to the audience and request them to disperse. Repeatedly I scream: “Move on! Move on! ” and ” To the gallery! “.
what divides us unites us | 2
I am standing outside of the gallery under a tree in front of a small hut. I gently and sensually pin up my long hair. The ritual of draping my hair and fixing small white flowers in it lasts for a few minutes. Then I am interrupted abruptly by the bear figure which comes running from behind the hut with a tin bucket and showers me with white dust. The bear escapes. Covered in white dust I call the audience to disperse. Repeatedly I scream: “Move on! Move on! ” and ” To the gallery! “.
A woman in the audience loudly comments: “But Krim is ours.”
what divides us unites us | 3
In the head of the bear I am lying motionless on the ground in front of the gallery.
I wear the same still dusty black gloves, dress and shoes.
Videos: Marek Zygmunt, Hauke Schmidt