The authors of the book on the CCA Łaźnia anniversary follow the rules of new humanities in their reflexion: they do not assume a theory that would define the character of their actions, but rather the one that is a result of organised experiences, that is a reflexion, an afterthought created post-hoc (including, but not limited to post-anthropological, post-human, and inclusive towards institutions, things, animals). It is a somewhat “theoretical practice”, engaging new forms of operation for new forms of being in the world. Thus, the direction of acting-thinking chosen by the authors bears an “empathetic epistemology” different than the scientific one, rather an epistemology that is poetic, transcending the available cognitive theoretical corpus. The co-authors of the book – researchers, performers, curators, artists, and educators – fit in the experiences of the new humanities, engaging the art to create a community of people that are active, thinking, and taking an interest in the world, especially the local surroundings of Gdansk’s districts of Dolne Miasto and Nowy Port. They try to meet the problems of “being people in the world”, their “silent” existence, and of their disabled condition; they also take on the topics of the city district and its beings, institutions, nature, and culture-nature relations. All of this is done in order to protect their survival, and with a consideration of their emancipatory condition, creative cohabitation, and protection against instrumental, consumptional devastation.
-Excerpt of review by Ewa Rodziewicz, PhD
Editing: | Małgorzata Cackowska |
Publisher: | Centre for Contemporary Art LAŹNIA |
Data: | Hardcover, illustrated: 217 pages, dimensions: 21 x 26 cm. |
Language: | English |
ISBN: | 978-83-61646-38-9 |