18 XI 1981

Main Market Square in Kraków

as part of the 9th Krakow Meetings (13 XI – 13 XII)

Description of the manifestation:

At the exhibition in the BWA pavilion stands the Romantic Cart. At the front are two wheels made from slices sawn from a thick tree trunk; at the back is a shaft. On a board mounted vertically between the wheels are five bundles of wooden chips and a roll of newspapers –  the weekly Kultura.

On the day of the manifestation, the Cart is carried out in front of the gallery building. The artist, dressed in a thick coat, takes hold of the shaft and pushes the Cart along Szczepańska Street toward the Market Square. He is accompanied by a group of artists and spectators attending the 9th Krakow Meetings. The artist stops between the water pump and the Cloth Hall. He takes a brush and a can of paint from the hands of a young woman (Bettina Bereś) accompanying him. Carefully, he paints the words OGNISKO NADZIEI (BONFIRE OF HOPE) on the Market Square tiles. The letters form a circle. A pressing crowd of curious bystanders gathers around.

The artist unties one of the bundles of wood from the Cart and arranges it in a pile at the center of the circle marked by the inscription. He tears off a piece of newspaper and lights the fire. He gazes at the flames for a moment. Then, in place of the bundle of wood, he attaches a bell, takes hold of the shaft, and continues his journey. The bell rings. Some spectators remain by the bonfire, while others follow.

The next stop is in front of the Town Hall. Following similar steps, the artist lights the Bonfire of Freedom here. He attaches another bell to the Cart and moves on. A moment later, opposite the end of Bracka Street, the Bonfire of Dignity burns. Behind the Mickiewicz Monument, the Bonfire of Love blazes. Circling the Cloth Hall, the artist reaches a spot opposite the end of Św. Jana Street. Here, he lights the Bonfire of Truth.

It is already dark. A crowd of spectators gathers around each bonfire. The artist takes hold of the shaft once more and sets off toward the BWA pavilion. Five bells ring by the Cart. Upon reaching the gallery, it is returned to its original location.

Black and white photographs: Jacek Szmuc, Ryszard Bobek