GESTURES OF RESISTANCE is a historic, first-ever performance by Dom Sztuki. It is an intimate story focused on the histories of well-known events, such as the student protests of 1968, the activities of the Zaczyn squat from 2023 to 2024, or the occupation of the University of Warsaw in 2025, as well as less or completely undocumented actions — the daily struggle for the right to rest or the fight for decent working conditions. Gestures are expressed here in memories of pain caused by a militia grenade or threats, fatigue from the repetitiveness of chosen strategies, irritation with society's attachment to liberal management of time and work, or a kind of shame that one has to fight for the right to safely perform a profession. We thank Julia Celejewska, Marek Kossakowski, Przemysław Mitka, Grażyna Obidzińska, Stanisław Sieniawski, Igor Szarafin, "Wera," and Gabriela Wilczyńska for sharing their experiences of resistance with us. The theme of "Gestures of Resistance" stems from the act of Ryszard Siwiec, who on September 8, 1968, at the then Stadium of the Decade, just under five kilometers from Dom Sztuki, committed suicide in an anti-war protest. He called out to several thousand people: "hear my cry." This is an unconventional yet extremely vivid part of the history of the district where we operate. Drawing inspiration from locality and expanding the understanding of what fits within such locality, finding echoes of the past in the present — self-immolation was the starting point for reflection on contemporary forms of resistance and dissent — the extreme pole from which we began the process. In "Gestures of Resistance," however, we do not focus on grand narratives and loud acts. Instead, we offer insight into intimate and private gestures, often so modest that they are barely noticeable to the inattentive eye. We show and talk about the difficulties associated with engagement — political and activist, but also the more modest kind, which is more about daily work than lofty acts, about perseverance rather than singular actions. The experiences of dissent heard in conducted interviews were transformed in the creative process into words, movement, photographs, and sounds, creating a performance that is both documentary and metaphorical in nature. A symbolic voice is also given to animals other than humans — Mishka Henner's photograph Coronado Feeders, Dalhart, Texas tells of blood flowing from American industrial farming. If only animals could free themselves, they would tear all our talk to shreds. "Gestures of Resistance" is a very intimate performance. Each of the premiere shows will involve exactly twenty people invited to follow one actress. "I had such a dream that we wake up we all the people who have at least a crumb of love and empathy for someone other than themselves we wake up and meet in different cities in different squares and parks we see each other there are so many of us an endless sea of people" TEAM - Direction: Dorian W. Widawski - Text and dramaturgy: Agata Koszulińska - Acting development: Anna Bolewska - Photography: Adam Durjasz - Sound design: Justyna Stasiowska - Lighting direction: Sebastian Klim - Model: Paweł Markiewicz, Julia Ślusarczyk - Production: Helena Łomnicka - Communication: Pamela Adamik - Graphics: Joanna Bębenek - Coordination: Marta Palińska Patronage: "Czas Kultury" 📅 PREMIERE SET October 17, 18, 19, 7:00 PM Dom Sztuki, ul. Sztuki 17 🎟️ TICKETS Available for 33 PLN — very limited quantity. Further shows are planned for October 31 at the "Pod Okiem" Gallery. The performance is part of the OFF Polska Program organized by the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute. Funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The event will take place on an upper floor, so access may be difficult for people with limited mobility. The building has a restroom adapted for people with disabilities. Assistance dogs and guide dogs are welcome in the building and all its rooms.
The purchase of an ad ticket is made on the website of the official ticket distributor. Keep in mind that if the seats are numbered, and the tickets are disputed by several companies, then each of them provides a different pool of seats to choose from
