Katarzyna Kozyra

In art dreams can come true, and no doubt everything is possible in Polish artist Katarzyna Kozyra’s filmic universe. Baroque fairy tales, drag queens, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, an American cheerleader and castration are just a few examples of the scenarios confronting the visitor at this entertaining and controversial exhibition. In collaboration with Galleri Image the Aarhus Art Building presents a series of selected videos from the series In Art Dreams Come True. At the same time the exhibition marks the world premiere of the last work in the series, A Summer Tale, co-produced by Galleri Image.

In Art Dreams Come True deals with fundamental questions about human identity and gender. Both have been formed by society’s consensus about what is right or wrong, beautiful or ugly. Kozyra confronts myths, taboos and stereotypes of this kind and uses them to discuss the conventions behind human nature, behavior in the social sphere, and standards for beauty, gender and body.

In her works Kozyra mixes the video medium with a performative universe unfolding in an area between art, dreams and reality. The lopsided stagings are colorful and humoristic while at the same time provocative – they prod the onlooker to deal with his or her own prejudices and desire. Kozyra stages herself in different feminine roles – from opera diva to cheerleader, from Snow White to drag queen and thus initiates a discussion about the definition of a real woman. She plays with our traditional understanding of sex roles and identity and exemplifies the post-modern notion of gender as a performative act. Gender is not just something we obtain at birth, but also something that’s acquired by means of factors like behavior, environment and culture. In her theatrical performances Kozyra demonstrates this by literally using gender as a costume she puts on or takes off again. When one sex can turn into the other, the division between man and woman is blurred, and society’s notions about sexual categories become unstable.

Katarzyna Kozyra has received great recognition through her artistic career and was honored at the Venice Biennale in 1999.

The exhibition is curated by Hanna Wróblewska, Zacheta National Gallery, Warzaw in collaboration with Beate Cegielska, Galleri Image.

Katarzyna Kozyra
The Midget Gallery Presents...
In Art Dreams Come True

Kuratoren: Hanna Wroblewska, Beate Cegielska