Soon_

How much is time worth? Does an artist's time hold a distinct value?

 

WORK ON YOUR OWN TERMS is the third part in a series of reflections on the value of time. Each part took place at different stages of the artist’s professional life. The first was during his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw (2019). The second, after completing his education, was held at the Foksal Gallery (2022) - historically one of the most important venues for contemporary art.

 

In SOON_68 project, Cura treats artistic activity as work. He translated the rules of the project into the principles governing the traditionally understood labor market. He decided to divide the artist’s fee by the value of the lowest hourly wage, resulting in him spending 68 hours in the Spectra building, working.

 

A metronome set in the space dictates the rhythm, according to which the artist marks another sign of his presence on a panel. The final visual effect is not the priority of this activity. What matters is the process and engagement within the specified time. To verify his duties, each day of activity is additionally reported on a time sheet.

 

Through his actions, Cura aims to draw attention to several long-discussed issues: the situation of artists in the labor market, the materiality of the artwork, and the value of artistic labor.

 

Cura - was born in 1994 in London, coming from a Polish-Italian family. A graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology, he ultimately directed his interests towards art. However, as he declares, this decision has led to difficulties in finding employment. He is a fan of absurdity and surrealism, enjoying blurring the line between reality and the artwork. Is art happening on the canvas or in the conversations people have around it? Will anyone buy one of his paintings? These are questions that keep Cura up at night. He is a graduate of Media Art from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.