Low-tech documentary forms

Low-tech documentary forms
Exhibition of documentary embroidery by
Vahida Ramujkic and Aviva Kruglanski

vernissage at Nizio Gallery: 12.05., 19:30 hours - the exhibition closes on 9.06
documentary embroidery workshops in Praga Pn: 13-17.05
extra exhibition at the PKiN as part of the PLANETE DOC Festival: 6-15.05

Vahida Ramujkic and Aviv Kruglanski have for years been developing reality recording methods using documentary embroidery. The technique they apply is called low-tech method, as opposed to high-tech (advanced technology). Their activities are intended not only to record the reality. Selection or synthesis of the most important representations – one could say a montage process that takes place in the mind – enables viewer to create a personal image of the situation, or to pose essential questions. Concurrently, the artists attempt to integrate themselves with the communities in the environments they document, and involve them in the action and jointly create images of the reality in which they function. In this case, the slow-paced process is beneficial. The time necessary to create a piece of embroidery makes it possible to build a relationship, a conversation on what is being observed, build the sense of togetherness, examine the existing reality.
The works so produced, not infrequently collective works, document both external and internal processes that take place in the given group. The form of the work becomes its content, and the documented subject may become the documenting one, and vice versa.
Characteristically, low technology may be applied at minimum financial expenditures and does not require education or specialisation. Embroidered documentary forms are certainly no attempt to outdo the traditional cinema. Rather, this original method of creative expression takes the form of a socio-economic statement. Working on their project Vahida and Aviv have visited Cairo, Belgrade, Barcelona, and Bristol, and are also planning to travel to Palestine. This year, they have arrived in Poland at the invitation of Nizio gallery. Their works will be shown in the gallery space, and a part of the exhibition will be displayed at the Kinoteka on the 2nd floor of the PKiN as part of the PLANETE DOC 2011 Festival. The artists will conduct a 5-day documentary embroidery workshop in Warsaw’s Praga district. The project is sponsored by the Praga Północ Borough Council and the Fundacja Nowej Kultury Bęc Zmiana (New Culture Foundation).

Vahida Ramujkic (born 1973) - born in Belgrade, where she is now living and working. Her focus is on actions in urban space and natural environment. She is a co-founder of the Rotor collectivity (www.rotorrr.org) which initiated a series of funny and critical projects in the streets, on roofs, and beaches in the vicinities of Barcelona (2001-2007). She has worked in Europe and America and North Africa.

Aviv Kruglanski (born 1970) - born in Tel-Aviv, lives and works in Barcelona. In his works he utilises textiles which in the public sphere and space serve as a social catalyst. Former member of such collectivities as Las Agencias and Yomango, as well as Costura De Código Abierto (Open Source Sewing). While in Chicago, he established Dogmatic Gallery and Goodlookin Magazine. He organised unusual fashion shows in the form of social intervention.

The documentary embroidery workshops will be open between 13-17 May in Warsaw’s Praga district. Details will follow soon.

For more information on the "documentary embroidery" project, go to :
bbva.irational.org

CURAtor: Paulina Jeziorek
Assistant: Maria Kubicka