A T‑shirt with the right slogan, symbol or photograph can communicate our views, demonstrate dissent or express identity. By putting on such a T‑shirt we can, without saying a single word, affirm ideas, offend, call for unity around a cause or attack. That is quite a lot of power for a cotton shirt — seemingly one of the most neutral clothing items.
“Shirtshow” is a precise choreography for two performers and several dozen T‑shirts that become actors: they communicate, disturb, manifest, and break the peace. In the background: a question about what power political slogans, catchphrases and gestures have today and how one can resist the symbolic and real violence they produce. The creators of “Shirtshow” reflect on the mechanisms governing the public sphere and confront the audience with a situation in which the category of freedom of speech begins to be used to legitimize the appearance of hateful, exclusionary content in public space.
After the performance there will be a discussion with the artists and invited guests.
📍 Komuna Warszawa / Szkoła, ul. Emilii Plater 31
🗓️ 20.02.2026 (Friday), 19:00
🎫 Free admission
🎟️ Tickets required — available from 05.02. on the New Epiphanies Festival website
Information (www): Information
Premiere: 11.10.2025
Audience age: 16+
Duration: 45 min
The creators ask questions: with which slogan should one wear a T‑shirt in the face of the climate catastrophe? Which slogan will express our emotions, our protest against wars, genocide, growing polarization, the strengthening forces of capitalism and patriarchy, and deepening social inequalities?
- Zuzanna Kluszczyńska, Adrianna Łakomiak, didaskalia.pl
The performance was produced by the Marek Edelman Dialogue Center for the Łódź Many Cultures Festival and was one of the events opening the International Textile Triennial.
Funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund as part of the “Dance” programme implemented by the National Institute of Music and Dance and by the Foundation for Polish‑German Cooperation.
