Ryszard Piegza’s reply to our projects: What is performance art? and Timeline of performance art

Ryszard Piegza, 2011-12-22

The definition of a certain artistic activity is like a compass that is necessary to navigate in the labyrinth of one’s own imagination. Unfortunately it is not always effective when it comes to somebody else’s imagination. My first definition of performance art appeared in the beginning of the 80s, during an action of the group “Circle of Coexistence”. The definition was: "Answer today, question tomorrow"

What is performance art?

"Performance is an act of creation in a desert, a message without a recipient, because we are the only entity that is watching us."

That was the answer given to the artist Orlan, who surprised me with her question about my performance art definition, and for whom the first definition turned out to be insufficient. Today I think that my personal definition is not good for other artists. It only works on my territory. That’s why to others I recommend something that has existed for a long time.

read more: RYSZARD PIEGZA What is performance art?

Timeline of performance art

Ryszard Piegza’s first performance was The music of an orange sphere, 1978.

Text by Wanda Pietrzyk-Malysa (Chicago, January 2010)

[…] On the occasion of another presentation in the Centre for Contemporary Art [in Wroclaw, Poland – MK], in one of the rooms of “the Palace” there is a performance. Through a slightly open door there comes the sound of piano music. On the other side of the keyboard sits a young man with disheveled hair, looking like an embodiment of a young Ignacy Paderewski [Polish prime minister, a pianist and a composer – MK]. He is playing some reckless passages. I enter quietly with a few other people into the room. It is becoming full and I sit on the side. The artist improvises, he is concentrated. He creates an ambiance, conducts some musical dialog between his right and left hand. At moments, he overwhelms us with cascades of sounds in such a fast tempo, that even Adam Makowicz [Polish-Canadian pianist – MK] would have been surprised by his technique. The last chords fade away… the pianist raises from the piano and then we see that he holds oranges in his hands. An applause mixes with laughter. […]

read more: RYSZARD PIEGZA Timeline of performance art?

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