A Similar Illusion

The re-performances constitute the live component of the exhibition: they reactivate iconic performances in the present, sharpen our perception that history remains in flux with and through us, and open up performance/art as a field for social change. In preparation for the performances, Stegnar and Bezjak participated in the Cleaning the House workshop at the Marina Abramović Institute in Karyes, Greece. For five days, the artists refrained from eating, speaking, reading, and were without watches, phones, and other electronics. During the workshop, they completed a series of long durational exercises expanding focus, stamina, and concentration.

Learn more about ART VITAL reperformances >> here

A SIMILAR ILLUSION (1981)
In a given space. 

A number of tables are arranged to make a large rectangular frame.
The tables are covered with white table cloths.
On the tables are water glasses and jugs filled with drinking water. 

Performance. 

We are standing inside the rectangular space, locked in a tango position.
An Argentinean tango “Jealousy” is being repeatedly played loudly.
We remain in that position motionless.
The performance stops when our stretched arms eventually sink down.

Katarina Stegnar (b. 1976, Ljubljana) is an actress, performer, movement artist, researcher, and creator, and has been a member of the Mladinsko Theatre since 2014. Her creativity has been particularly in evidence on the independent scene: she was one of the most active contributors to Via Negativa, a platform for research, development, and production in the field of contemporary performance arts, and still works with the Beton Ltd. theatre collective. She co-curated two editions of the Performance Festival (2021 and 2023), and has played prominent roles in several films, including Barabe! (Bad Guys!, 2000), Drevo (The Tree, 2014), and Odrešitev za začetnike (Family Therapy, 2024). She has received numerous awards for her work, most notably the Prešeren Fund Award (2016).

Primož Bezjak is an actor and performer, and has been prominent in the Slovenian theatre scene since at least 1999, when he became regular member of the Betontanc group. Since then, he has been active in theatre institutions as well as independent dance and theatre productions, international co-productions, and film. In late 2008, he joined the Mladinsko Theatre and in 2010 he co-founded the Beton Ltd. theatre collective, where he is still active today. He has received a number of awards for his work, most notably the Župančič Prize, the highest recognition awarded by the City of Ljubljana for outstanding achievements in art and culture, and the Vesna Prize for Best Leading Role in the film Antigona – kako si upamo! (Antigone – How Dare We!) at the 23rd Slovenian Film Festival in 2020.