2004.03.06–2004.04.25
Open Tue–Sun 12.00–16.00
Closed 9th April

The works of Katarzyna Kozyra point to the most important issues of human existence: identification, identity, transgression. She acts in the realm of cultural taboos referring to the bodily nature of man and to some stereotypes and behavior in the context of social life. She questions and overcomes them while stirring controversy and (usually) subjecting herself to the criticism of the outraged critics. “Women´s Bathhouse” (1997) was the first in a series of works made using a hidden camera, shot at the public bathhouse in Budapest. The installation consists of a main screen showing a four minute looped projection, and five monitors showing unedited films. These present scenes from the bathhouse, recording the prevailing atmosphere. Reproductions of classical works of art have been edited into the footage shown on the main screen: Rembrandt’s Suzanna and the Elders and Ingres’s The Turkish Bath.

“Men´s Bathhouse” (1999) was produced for and first shown at the Venice Biennale, where the work received an Honorable Mention. Men’s Bathhouse consists of four simultaneous projections (each lasting 8 min.) onto four 105 x 140 cm screens mounted within an octagonal architectural structure, suggesting the interior of a bathhouse. The projections are visible both within and outside of the construction. The screens show scenes from the footage shot at the Budapest bathhouse, and show men’s behavior at the bath while being filmed with a hidden camera. The artist is disguised as a man and appears among the other men being filmed in the bathhouse. A three minute film of the artist disguising herself is screened on the small monitor situated at the entrance of the installation.

Hanna Wróblewska