The performance took place at the Art Gallery Maribor in Maribor, Slovenia, during the opening of the exhibition DECLARATIVE ART. M and P positioned themselves in a dark gallery illuminated by two spotlights with blue light, connected by a rope between their wrists. The performance commenced with the introduction of sound as the audience entered the gallery. Initially, M and P remained still, but at a certain point, they began to create maximum distance between each other. Gradually, they started performing ballet movements and began gently pulling each other using only the power of their bodies. As the music transitioned from classical to aggressive electronic, they engaged in an intense dance between their connected bodies. In the final part of the performance, M and P pulled each other closer, using the strength of their hands to embrace. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t free themselves from the rope and remained together until the very end of the performance. The performance concluded when the classical music, following the electronic segment, came to an end, and the lights faded. Symbolically, the performance depicted the life struggle of M and P as they moved closer to each other, which they had to overcome.
ABOVE ALL IS TENDERNESS
TENDERNESS / Art Gallery Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia, 3 April 2007, duration: 7′ 56”