WOJCIECH STEFANIK
Wroclaw, Poland
"NIC NOWEGO"
20 minutes, 7/09/2001atat Museum of Contemporary Fine Art

by Victor Petrov
Wojciech Stefanik's performance shows no attachment to any literature, trends or fashions. This is a desire to defend one's own credo and position in art. The words "nic nowego" (= 'nothing new' in Polish) are the deepest and most profoundly understood concept of the existence and spiritual path taken by a persona/personality who, by his example and actions, demonstrates the deep meaning concealed beneath the action. This action is neither constrained by the boundaries of attachment, nor by opposition, cheap farces, or cliquishness. There are no hysterics combined with pedagogism and instruction here. No, this is a phenomenon of absolute freedom. Through simple things, the artist shows his concept and the depths of the idea of art as a path, through which we seek answers to the questions : What is art? Who am I? What is my aim in life? What lies beneath, behind the usual logic?

During the performance, the artist uses a common wooden chair, sitting on it in various planes, moving right up to the audience, thus altering the usual impressions of space and function. He attaches himself to ordinary logic (by being strapped to the chair with a belt), but still attempts to overcome it by moving around the hall, then disappearing at the end of the performance.