Saluto Romano

The photographs from the Saluto Romano series present the Czech performer Martin Zet entering into a relationship with reality, adopting poses which are in tune with the architecture, landscape, nature and objects of daily use. Some of the poses are variations of the Roman salutation mentioned in the title, a gesture of greeting associated with the tradition of ancient Rome. When posing for the photographs, which he also arranges, Zet tries to blend in with the environment: in Dartington, when performing the currently most popular version of the salute, he imitates the position of one of the tree branches; and when in Helsinki, he lies down on the bank of the river Vantaa, imitating the shape of an anchored boat. Each photograph is described with the place, date and the hour of the event.

Zet’s variations on the theme of the gesture are free from any ideological references, though each of the statements that the artist sends by way of the poses he adopts is connected with the notion of subservience and dependence on the authority which is inscribed in such a salute. The key element in the performer’s message is the body: on the one hand, it is subject to discipline so as to adapt to the surroundings; on the other, it has the capacity of making different gestures and adopting chosen poses. Zet’s actions are often interpreted as a metaphor of the artist’s functioning in a communist system, as well as his experience of the Velvet Revolution and explorations in search of a post-revolutionary identity.

The artist is a vigilant observer of the world, sensitive to anything which can be disruptive and which calls for a response. The seemingly absurd sticking of one’s head into a tree hollow, diving into a rose bush, or submerging one’s face in mud is thus a question about how we actually relate to reality, about our ordinary stances and reactions which always carry an ethical element. The artist approaches the issue with seriousness but also with his specific sense of humour.

Izabela Kopania