Ćwiczenia z podzwyczajności [Exercises in Sub-ordinariness] is a study of the body in space, focusing on the relationship between the body and social norms. It looks with particular attentiveness at deviations from these norms. An “elastic band in a pocket” – a metaphor for human discomfort in everyday situations, prompts the creation of a tender relationship with one's own unintended gestures. Galeria Pracownia Wschodnia changes into an experiential field, the effect of which is further enhanced by the presence of performers in the exhibition space. Ćwiczenia z podzwyczajności also documents the creative process, revealing its transparent, communal character. The research approach and collective practices serve here both to expand the field of art and to build relationships between creative individuals and the audience. We invite you from 16 May.

"I am constantly kneading something.

Tickets folded many times lingering in the corners of my pockets, slips of paper crumpled in my hands and labels scraped off bottles. Entangled strings and rubber bands tied for no reason. A sigh and a long errrrrm, ah.

I process space. I take a deep breath, maybe I'm trying too deep, because my chest bends into a trembling "C". But I tell myself: breathe for a moment, you won't tremble, stop in front of the door before you enter, yes, you'll be calmer. So I stop. I take an breath in, an breath out, but my hand in my pocket has just wrapped a rubber band found there so tightly that I'm not sure if my fingers aren't already purple. I allow myself this movement. I allow myself to enter clumsily. To say "hi" too quietly, to sit on a chair with my legs tucked under, to keep silent. All this time my hands move to the rhythm of the rubber band or a strand of hair that escaped from my ponytail. Whatever sets the rhythm, I'm not sure who is conducting. My leg is shaking, I need to scratch under my knee, look behind me, at the ceiling, touch my nose and finally cross my legs. My voice is shaking too.

I analyse what happens naturally, drags involuntarily behind me and wraps tightly around me in the most tense moments. Naturally, I react by un-stretching reality tightly fastened by stress or embarrassment. Perceiving these simple gestures through the frame of choreography, I accept them, talk about them and dream that someone will one day redefine what functions in the collective consciousness as socially acceptable or unacceptable movement. I understand them as the basic building blocks of my daily choreography, unable to avoid them, but perhaps feeling less ashamed."

Izabela Niepokój

• Curators: Izabela Niepokój, Julia Tyjewska
• Music: Natan Kryszk
• Choreography: Izabela Niepokój
• Set design: Maja Cieślak, Maria Lisicka, Olga Madler
• Costumes: Maja Cieślak
• Performers and co-creators: Teresa Kądziela, Aleksandra Bożek, Alicja Rasztawicka, Olga Turno, Izabela Niepokój
• Development of textual parts: Alicja Rasztawicka
• Graphic design: Maria Lisicka
• Expert consultations and substantive support: Weronika Szczawińska, Karolina Kraczkowska
• Production: Julia Tyjewska
• Exhibition guardian: Natan Kryszk
• Technical support: Łukasz Zembaty, Paulina Mirowska
• Organisational and promotional support: Pracownia Wschodnia

Performance times:

• 16.05 19:00 - 20:00
• 23.05 19:00 - 20:00
• 06.06 19:00 - closing event

Event co-financed by the Capital City of Warsaw

The artistic residency was carried out as part of the "Open studio" module – an activity supporting creative environments in the task "Teatr Komuna Warszawa – Social Cultural Institution", co-financed from the funds of the Capital City of Warsaw.

Photos: Paulina Mirowska