above left: Gosia Wlodarczak (2005-2007) SHARING SPACE performances in progress right from top: Gosia Wlodarczak (2006) SHARED SPACE, PERTH, 8 panels, pigment, acrylic on linen, overall size: 162 x 243 cm. Gosia Wlodarczak (2006) SHARED SPACE, EMMA, pigment, acrylic on linen, size: 162 x 28 and 162 x 205 cm. Gosia Wlodarczak (2005) SHARED SPACE, LONGIN, pigment, acrylic on linen, size: 162 x 205 cm.
home NEWS drawing IN installation drawing IN performance drawing IN sound & video special projectsCV & texts contact
SHARED SPACE
Since 2001 I have been investigating the idea of personal space and notions of security and personal safety (PERSONAL SPACE/SAFETY ZONE). The PERSONAL SPACE/SAFETY ZONE works have evolved into the SHARED SPACE series, that researches the social environment in which we live and engages with pleasures: friendship and intimacy but also, anxieties and fears, concerning safe/unsafe human relationships. SHARED SPACE are situations, performances with social interactions, which explore a mutual relationship.

SHARED SPACE works are remnants, “by-products” of meetings and drawing sessions with people with whom I meet during my art practice. They come from different backgrounds and various professions. They respond to my invitation to be part of the project. The first stage of the work is usually prepared in my home /studio space. It is a piece of linen, paper or other material which becomes an integral background for the Shared Space processes. Following stages involve working and socially interacting with participants over a period of several sessions, or just 5-15 minutes. The working sessions can take place either at my home, in the home/workplace of the participant, or in a public place.
A piece of linen, or other support, becomes a ground for shared personal spaces. We sit, lean against, or stand on it. I drew around/between us both - the side of the body or around the feet... Drawing around another person’s body can be discomforting and requires a degree of trust, openness and willingness by the subject to share one’s personal space. The finished work becomes a linear record of a number of interactions while the voids imprinted on the work reflects the presence, an outline of the time experienced together.

The interactions are documented: photographed or videotaped, in progress by Longin Sarnecki.