Anatomy of a Tragedy – 2022

Anatomy of a Tragedy is a work in progress type project, made in 2022, based on the major social changes that have taken place both globally and regionally in the last two years and can be seen as a continuation to the exhibition Anatomy of a Knock-Out from X FLUX Studio in 2021 for the White Night of Galleries. Anatomy of a Tragedy does not wish to portray the Covid 19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine in a predictable and descriptive way but offers an intimate approach regarding concepts of tragedy, disaster, catastrophe in a private space.
TRAGEDY 1. the literary genre of drama in which the action presents characters in conflict with life and human passions, leading to a fatal outcome, that generates feelings of pity and pain.
2. a shattering event, catastrophe ♢ (fig.) struggle, sorrow (< fr. tragédie, lat. tragoedia, it. tragedia)
The Greek philosopher Aristotle reveals in his Poetics the fact that tragedy leads to catharsis (purification) of the public’s pity and fear through the feelings and suffering of the dramatic characters. Not all works of tragedy lead to this type of cathartic finale, some ending on a neutral or even slightly hopeful tone. In the end, what constitutes a “tragedy” becomes a pertinent question.
Anatomy of a Tragedy does not aim exclusively to resolve or analise descriptively the concept of tragedy, but starting from the idea of catastrophe, creates a red thread with certain focal points that are easily recognitiable in the actual visible reality of everyone. Thus, each artist chooses a space in the X FLUX Studio to create the context for a personal perception and reflection regarding the concept of tragedy and its present manifestations.

duo show Ada Muntean & Mathias Bar
X FLUX Studio Cluj-Napoca

A Short Film About Love directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski

Film synopsis

Tomek (Olaf Lubaszenko), an introverted postal worker, has become obsessed with an older woman (visual artist) in his apartment complex, whom he watches through a telescope. Magda (Grazyna Szapolowska), aware of his voyeurism, thinks nothing of undressing in front of her window. When Tomek works up the courage to confess his love, she mockingly informs him that love is an illusion and only sex matters. But after Tomek attempts suicide, Magda is startled by the depth of her feeling for him.
*scene where Tomek attempts suicide taken and distorted, transformed into a glitched GIF