9 XII 1974

Studio Gallery, Warszawa

as part of the exhibition
the artist towards civilization. Contart 74

Manifestation description:

The artist enters naked into the space where the audience has gathered. In his hands he holds an axe and a block of wood. He walks up to the object which bears the inscription “ALTAR OF FACE” written in white paint. It is a piece of trunk set on legs. Under the trunk an iron gong and a movable wooden hammer are suspended. The trunk is covered by a longer, movable board. On the board rests a piece of white cloth. Next to it stands a table, on it a loaf of bread, a bottle of red wine and glasses. The artist removes the cloth from the “Altar” and puts it on. It turns out that it is cut in the middle. He tears off a narrow strip of cloth and puts it around his waist. A short robe is created. Then he removes the movable board from the “Altar” and sets it aside.With a brush dipped in black paint, he paints a vertical line in the middle of his face, places a block of wood on the “Altar of Face” and chops it in half. He repeats these actions alternately. Finally, the block is split into chips, and an irregular grid of black lines is formed on his face. Then he crumples up the flyer advertising the CONTART event, places it on the beam of the “Altar,” lays it over with the chips of wood and lights a fire. The artist stands behind the “Altar” on which the fire burns. In front of the “Altar” the audience gathers. When the fire burns a distinct gap in the beam the artist asks the organizers for a jug of water and extinguishes the fire. He approaches the table, pours wine into glasses while painting red flowers on the white robe. Then he places the movable board on the “Altar” and puts his robe which he has just taken off. He places a loaf of bread on this tablecloth and ties it to the tabletop with a white cloth stripe, torn at the beginning of the manifestation. He invites the audience to drink wine and – naked, having his face covered with black lines – demonstrates how the “Altar of Face” operates.” A movable board-top, covered with a cloth painted with red flowers, can be tilted along with a loaf of bread tied to it. Then the burnt mark can be seen and at that moment the sound of a gong is heard. After this demonstration, the artist leaves the room. The work is put up for auction. The artists establishes such a high price that no one buys it.