I Am Electric

title

1996-2005

year

Józef Robakowski

author

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synopsis

I Am Electric has been a hazardous action performed during WRO 96 Monitor Polski Festival. The artist presented a tool utilising his body as a connector for the flowing electricity whose voltage has been gradually increased with the participation of the audience and on the artist’s demand. The interest over the phenomenon of energy and the reflexion upon the artist work has appeared in Robakowski’s earlier works such as About Fingers (1982) or My Videomasochism (1989). More ↓↑

During his performance, the artist commented on the course of action humorously. The artist’s commentary consisted mostly of comparing eletrical energy to work, emotions or the relations in the world of art. The other layer of action was the atmosphere created in the studio, the strong interest and unprecedented reaction of the audience of the live broadcast in the public television.

Place and date of documentation: Festival WRO 96 Polish Monitor, television studio, Wrocław, May 1996

video

artist's bio

Józef Robakowski (PL), b. 1939, is an author of films, photographic series, videos, installations and conceptual projects. Also known as performer and initiator of many artistic events. He undertakes experimental actions, based on merging film image and sound, which currently belongs to the classic of polish conceptual and post-conceptual art of the 70s. Co—founder of the avant—groups Zero—61 and the Film Form Workshop. Since 1971 he has been running The Exchange Gallery focused at present art.