To expect care
To allow care
To assume care
To offer care
To impose care
To insist on care
To need care
Да очакваш грижа
Да позволиш грижа
Да предположиш грижа
Да предложиш грижа
Да натрапиш грижа
Да настояваш на грижа
Да трябва грижа
You have to know, this artist cares!
What does care mean as an artistic practice in the context of an art happening?
Is care work perceived as something self-evident in the context of an exhibition opening?
Are we always expecting care?
Hospitality, a welcoming situation, at the door opener, as a venue guide, as a gaze?
Maybe as the woman who cleans the toilets, serves drinks and cares for the comfort of visitors.
Maybe as someone to talk to?
The costume mimicried the venue staff. Easy – jeans, black T – costume preparation of 6 weeks!
A simple red badge indicated my position as well as predifined care work roles – nobody reads fucking badges!
Photo © Gloriya Avgust
Rules:
1. Observing visitors
2. Detecting needs
3. Covering needs
4. Observing the space
5. Triangulating visitors in the space
6. Being present at all time
7. Offering care
Photo © Gloriya Avgust
The otcome for me was in a way a solitary experience.
Even no performancee documentation. Truly invisible!
My care work merged with the context, with the space, and disappeared from view.
Even though I printed business cards to leave a material trace of my presence.
This artist still cares!
Performance | 6 hours with unioun prescribed breaks
Labour Day | 1.05.2025 | Cube Gallery, Toplocentrala, Sofia
Within ‘Labour Me Softly’ – multidisciplinary cultural event that explores the invisible, precarious and
undervalued labour in contemporary society. Part of the exhibition’s ‘Who’s Grafting Now!’
Supported by Singer-Zahariev Foundation | Austrian Cultural Forum | Sofia Municipality
Curator: Alessandro Vincentelli
Producer : Rada Dechev
Thanks to Rada for this opportunity and this experience!
Thanks to my fellow performers and Participants:
Alessandro, Doreida, Voin, Gloria & Andrea, Julietta, Margg.
To Vika, Mina, Burch, Andonia for the great support.
And to all the visitors for leting me care for you.
