ELŻBIETA JABŁOŃSKA – Accidental pleasure

„The basis of our existence is everyday life. And since we perceive our existence as something of extreme importance, we are baffled every time we realize that our life consists mostly of trifles. The everyday life forming the existential background for extraordinary events, which we await – often in vain – can therefore decide about everything. Its dimension is minute. Its frequency high. It’s unnoticeable.”

(The quote comes from Jolanta Brach-Czaina’s book “Existence cracks”, 1999, p. 55, chapter “Bustling”)

To be as close to everyday life as possible. Observe it, make notes, sometimes process it. To see the meaning and sometimes even beauty in banal, mundane daily life. To find new paths among the set rules of ordinary day. To see the world as if for the first time.

Accidental pleasure is 365 colour photographs of kitchen sink strainer, taken irregularly from December 2005 to September 2006.

Accidental pleasure is 15 minutes of slamming the 118 doors of oversized wardrobe built in April 2006.

Accidental pleasure is 137 colour photographs of folded laundry, taken irregularly from January 2005 to September 2006.

Accidental pleasure is 83 waiters serving the vernissage guests in April 2006.

Accidental pleasure is 235 museum items covered with white cloth in May 2007, but accidental pleasure is also watching the river flowing, cats playing, quiet conversation with a friend, a feather spinning in the wind, taste of strawberries, unexpected phone call, long wait in line, the colour of cornflowers, climbing the same stairs, child’s difficult questions, the smell of a camp-fire, riding a bike, blinding sun, a walk, doing the dishes, sweat on the skin, calming of breath, dripping of water, frost, extended hand, folding the laundry, designing the unreal, listening to the radio in a car, waking up at night, a glass of cold water, reflection in a window, waiting for the storm, a message, mowing the lawn, silence, reading ads, yawning, sadness, the drone of traffic, shopping, chopping wood, sitting on the ground, waiting for the next day, getting lost, turning off the lights, cleaning, lying in the snow, touching one’s face…

Ela Jabłońska