Owoc lęku, warzywo spokoju [Fruit of Anxiety, Vegetable of Calm

Oskar Dawicki’s work makes a metaphorical reference to one of the most difficult states in which a human may function in the surrounding reality: the vegetative state. Confrontation between the colloquial and literal meaning of the term points to a self-contradiction deeply rooted in its meaning. On the one hand, “vegetation” means growing and development, on the other, it is a senseless, purely physiological existence. Dawicki’s installation refers to the latter, less optimistic meaning of the word.

The essential element of the work is a modest, although relatively lush, for a young plant, bean plant growing on the sill of the gallery’s window. It is planted in an unusual flowerpot: a plastic box with the name Tranxene written on it. Other elements are a short description of the plant and, affixed on the wall, an information leaflet which came with the packet of the medicine. It contains the information that Tranxene is a medicinal drug used in the cases of strong anxiety, disruption of sleep patterns, and convulsions.

The bean plant is able to vegetate due to pharmacological support: it is from Tranxene that it draws its strength. It needs this artificial prop to “stay up”. Its continuing existence and subsequent stages of development are called into question: will it be able to live on without the drug? The artist’s use of packaging of a benzodiazepine drug automatically brings a comparison with the condition of the human psyche. In order to function properly, affective disorders sufferers must artificially suppress paralysing anxiety. Curative powers of medication, however, are illusory here: in contrast to antidepressants, Tranxene acts almost immediately, temporarily alleviating anxiety, but it is as addictive as it is fast-acting. It calms and soothes, but it certainly does not cure the sufferer.

Fruit of Anxiety, Vegetable of Calm is a work which, by speaking of difficulties, stagnation and failures, goes against the current cult of success and optimism. Side by side with other works by Oskar Dawicki, e.g. Tribute to Albrecht Dürer (2002) or the video I’m sorry (2005), it can be interpreted as another statement concerning the condition of the artist, his presence in the world of art, and the expectations he has to face. All these works ironically refer not to artistic successes, but to failures bringing various consequences. The poetic title of the installation, as well as the benzodiazepine box utilised in it, make it possible to place it also in the context of the reflections concerning the connection between depressed moods and creativity; the creative process is here understood as a tool for rebuilding the inner world. Perhaps working on Fruit of Anxiety, Vegetable of Calm may also be understood as a particular therapeutic path from anxiety to calm.

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translated from Polish by Klaudyna Michałowicz