OPINIE

LINKI

"Dance is one of the deepest meditations possible" Osho

Rhythm, the heartbeat, the music of life in its purest sensual form.

I am here to put a spotlight on a series of drawings that emerged from the need to 'feel alive.'

Every culture has its own dance. Every culture has its own music. We live in our bodies, tethered to the earth. Though our intellectual life extends into the future and the past, and we continually create numerous complex mental constructs, we are creatures with boundaries – the boundaries of our bodies.

In our bodies, we sensually experience our lives. Most truly, powerfully, and directly, we feel life in art, dance, inseparably linked to music. Passion, emotions, desires, passions, the entire spectrum of feelings we experience is recorded in our bodies. In dance, we free ourselves, young, giving expression to unnamed emotions, feelings, and love for life.

While some go to the symphony, at the same time, in the same city, in New York, a few blocks away on the street, life's dance takes place to loud music. Without schools, without education, people have a deeply rooted culture of being together through participation in shared celebrations – through being together, sharing food, playing, and dancing.

This collection of 50 drawings on gray paper showcases this primal, wild instinct, which we don't even need to consciously acknowledge. In dance, we express who we are and what our emotions are, but we are also part of the common human family that needs contact with others, touch, and meetings.

The series is named 'Josephina Beker' in honor of the woman who was bisexual, which gave her access to the full spectrum of emotions and the power of both genders. Dance is often considered a highly erotic experience. Josephine is a role model for women, a revolutionary in art, an activist, and a great personality who had a significant influence on the history of art. Through her openness, courage, and ease in breaking down barriers, she opens doors for women who do not have access to their emotions and sexual energy.

Josephine can represent all the women in the world and their need to express themselves, something that society often does not allow. Every society needs rules, but on the other hand, these rules can oppress the individual, especially female sexuality. Josephine acted as if these rules did not apply to her, and it is inspiring. Josephine knew what she wanted and took it.

This series of works illustrates complete freedom. Liberation in dance, listening to the rhythm of life and responding to it with our bodies. We are created for freedom, and this series showcases that. Stylistically, the series of drawings alludes to the essence of dance. Using readily available, natural material – charcoal on natural gray paper – it is everything needed to express one's nature.

Artist XY Anka Mierzejewska 50 charcoal drawings on gray paper. Drawn in New York in 2022 at Chelsea Art Naftali Art. Building 526 W 26th Street, NY.

© 2024 XY ANKA MIERZEJEWSKA