Ian Damerell

Actual: September 2022

SALIGIA

Saligia is a triptych of charcoal drawings, 2 x 5 meters (3 drawings of 2 x 1,5 meters). The drawings are made using lines as ‘cuts’ that are structural, tense, and executed with speed. Since I have drawn two figures from life, the art piece is created from what I refer to as sacred collaboration based on generosity, mutual consent, trust, and respect. In addition, it initiates, ideas both for my book Memories of a Future and a new one to be based on beauty’s power to assuage and eventually thwart the growing thirst for violence.

IMAGERY

• charcoal.
• monochrome.
• a mixture of architectonic structures and a variety of body and demonic imagery spread through the 3 drawings.
• the demonic figure first appeared (uninvited) and was not only included in the initial process of drawing but dominated the imagery by day 3 of the drawing. It was, at first, on the left side panel of the triptych then it spread to the other two.

POSSIBLE ENACTMENTS THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE EXHIBITION

• The drawings are accompanied by a voice. This voice varies from the drawing itself talking to the demons talking and so on. My friend Gleb Divov has created a situation where each drawing speaks, and they speak from a series of different statements.
• The voice whispers at times and it may react as the viewer gets closer to the art piece. Or not. But beware, it may offer a deceptive explanation.
• There will be a performance – a reading – where Czesław Miłosz quotes will be included, as well as my own statements. Friends of mine will speak.

SALIGIA AS A STRATEGY

1. SACRED describes a specific moment akin to Georges Bataille’s sacred where we experience continuity in an otherwise discontinuous existence. This is like the Christian idea but is not the same. The sacred is what cannot be contained. A disruption of normative behaviour is by its very nature undefinable.
2. GENEROSITY: a collaboration where roles intertwine.
3. RESPECT: a collaboration based on trust.
4. BEAUTY: Approach to an undefined, misunderstood aspect of beauty’s power.
5. IRRATIONALITY: An irrational search for the uncanny.
6. SENSUALITY as a tangible guide.
7. CARE: It is maintaining distance through respect for the intimate moment, through avoiding greed.
8. TRANSGRESSION occurs in the work. It is based on Georges Bataille’s approach.
9. CELEBRATION of the other occurs in the performance.
10. THE SENSORY MOMENT: evokes the body celebrated.

The joint exhibition opens on September 9th and it is called:
Nejauka / The Uncanny
Vilniaus Kultūros, Pramogų Ir Sporto Rūmai

Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1110604616481208/