Embracing Flux

“History is the subject of a structure whose site is not homogeneous, empty time, but time filled by the presence of the now.” – Walter Benjamin, “Theses On The Philosophy Of History,” in Illuminations, ed. by Hannah Arendt, trans. by Harry Zohn, p.261. Embracing Flux explores the debate surrounding growth and degrowth through the lens of contemporary art. The spectrum of emerging and mid-career artists from Central and Eastern Europe engages in creative dialogue inspired by "De-Kon-Strukcja Krzywej Wieży II"(1995), an artwork created by the legendary Polish artist Maria Pinińska-Bereś (1931–1999). Pinińska-Bereś was known for deep explorations of femininity, domesticity, and identity through textiles and other materials. Additionally, her focus on examining fragments and what is in between resonates with the contemporary practices of participating artists. Art is inherently personal. It reflects a human inability to achieve unsustainable growth. One burns out when one overestimates one's abilities. To reflect on degrowth, one has to come back even more deeply to the personal. The True Self works as a mirror of what is. Embracing Flux provokes a reflection on how societal growth often comes at the expense of the environment and individual well-being. By exploring (personal) degrowth, the exhibition invites viewers to reconsider what it means to thrive in a world where resources are finite. The exhibited artworks come from a deep understanding that one is not the answer. They offer alternative methods, sometimes obvious and sometimes less apparent. They focus on fragility, resilience, and a holistic relationship with nature and materials. At first sight, they might seem to need a sense of engagement. However, on a close inspection, they offer new visions of a more balanced and thoughtful future, encouraging viewers to reconsider their relationship with labour, consumption, and the planet. Their void is a manner to critique existing procedures.