“ho fatto giallo” /  “I was very afraid”

                “Is it surprising that prisons resemble factories, schools, barracks, hospitals, which all resemble prisons? -- M. Foucault

Born in Socialist Poland in 1981, my childhood memories are a vibrant tapestry woven with moments of joy, discipline, and societal constraints. From the excitement of Santa Claus delivering tangerines to the intriguing taste of licorice from my father's travels to Sweden, each memory holds vivid detail. Summer camp vacations brought both simple pleasures like strawberry jam sandwiches on green meadows and challenges such as lice infestations. Yet, beneath these recollections lies a culture of strict adherence to rules, where deviations were met with punishments like kneeling on bags of dry peas or enduring public spankings.

In this project, I aim to explore the intricate interplay of memory, childhood, and contemporary society. The hundreds of small bags crafted from luxury fabric waste and filled with dried peas serve as poignant symbols, reflecting the consumption frenzy rampant in capitalist societies and the mass production ethos of today's consumer market. Additionally, they evoke the dualistic nature of our society, as they are systematically employed for postural corrections or as stimming toys, embodying the contradictions inherent in our pursuit of freedom and happiness.

In our quest for liberation, we often find ourselves bound by societal norms and expectations, seeking adrenaline rushes and extreme experiences to feel alive. I invite viewers to experiment with these bags, confronting these paradoxes and contemplating the complexities of our collective existence.

- 2017

- installation