Komuna. Collection

Is performance disappearing? We already know it isn’t. Performance persists even after it ends—when the performers leave the stage and their actions cease. But what happens to the remnants of performance? To its traces, residues, and recordings? In Poland, not much. Although the experiments of the performance art community represent the most fascinating developments in our art scene in recent years, no domestic institution has taken on the task of systematically collecting them.

The Komuna Warszawa Theater wants to change this, which is why it is launching the CITIZENS’ COLLECTION OF PERFORMING ARTS.

The first stage of building this collection is an exhibition in previously inaccessible spaces at Komuna’s headquarters on Emilii Plater Street in Warsaw.

The exhibition will be open until October 4—we will announce the schedule with opening hours soon.

KOMUNA. COLLECTION is a unique collection of several dozen objects and video works created by artists associated with Komuna, and at the same time a rich presentation of the most significant practices of the Polish performing arts scene over the past decades. The works include both recordings and documentation of classic performances produced at Komuna, as well as original video art pieces: performances filmed for the camera and experimental films employing performative strategies. This is strong evidence that a captivating performance can take place not only live but also on screen.