Obelix Nutrix takes the figure of the nurse to look closer at the intricacies of care, interdependence and power. Through language, a soundscape and strong visuality, the performance ponders on the ethics of care, an ethic committed to universal provision for human needs, regardless of nationality, skin color or social status. Obelix Nutrix draws loose inspiration from Florence Nightingale and her foundational role in modern nursing using the historical figure and her legacy as an archetype.

In a time of ongoing armed conflicts, growing compassion fatigue and the omnipresence of images of suffering, Nowak delves into deep exploration of the question of how care can be distinguished from paternalism, control or savior complex. Interweaving historical and futuristic elements, Obelix Nutrix also approaches the realm of Artificial Intelligence and digital health technologies and arrives at the ultra-contemporary question: How will we care for each other in the metaverse?

Ania Nowak approaches vulnerability and desire as ways towards reimagining what bodies and language can and cannot do. Nowak develops formats such as live and video performance, installation and text. In her practice Nowak engages with bodies in their nonlinear feeling and thinking capacity to tackle the intricacies of companionship and care in times of perpetual crisis. Her work attempts to reimagine the notions of disorder, pleasure, disease, intimacy, pain, sexuality, class and accessibility as sites of binary free living. Nowak’s works have been presented at Sophiensæle, Berlinische Galerie, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Akademie der Künste, KW Pogo Bar, Berlin; Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki; La Casa Encendida, Madrid; Salzburger Kunstverein; 14th Baltic Triennial at CAC Vilnius and 12th Gothenburg Biennial for Contemporary Art, amongst others. Nowak recently held solo shows at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw an Galerie Wedding – Raum für zeitgenössische Kunst in Berlin.
anianowakanianowak.com

[Source: sophiensaele.com]

TFB Nr. 1954